entirely the reverse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entirely the reverse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is completely opposite to what was previously stated or assumed. Example: "While many believe the project will succeed, the reality is entirely the reverse; it is facing significant challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Dogtooth could be read as a superlative example of absurdist cinema, or possibly something entirely the reverse – a clinically, unsparingly intimate piece of psychological realism.

The Guardian - Film

The situation is entirely the reverse at West Ham, where West Brom's £15m bid for Diafra Sakho – still at the planning stage, apparently – will not be accepted until some other players are signed.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In effect, the method is designed to simultaneously avoid false positives and false negatives — in other words, conclusions that something is statistically significant when it is entirely random, and the reverse.

The New York Times

No one could be a bigger contrast to the spineless, pusillanimous and underdeserving Barack Obama, who has never done a thing for himself and is entirely the creation of reverse discrimination.

Forbes

And we could finance the bill entirely by reversing the worst giveaways in the Trump tax bill, those gifted to multinational corporations and the wealthiest of the wealthiest.

The Washington Post

One of the night's big winners was the British group Coldplay, whose mesmerizing video for "The Scientist," shot entirely in reverse, won the breakthrough video award.

The New York Times

But no one would dispute that he entirely reversed the fortunes of the theater, which was founded in 1952 and was frequently in difficult financial straits even as it was becoming the de facto national theater of Canada.

The New York Times

The move will provide a boost for Chancellor George Osborne's deficit-busting plans as it almost entirely reverses the IMF's earlier growth forecast cuts, which came amid warnings over the impact of austerity.

Independent

He said a better strategy would be the reverse, focusing almost entirely on offense.

The New York Times

As the authors indicate (1), although IQ in middle- and older-aged persons may influence diabetes, the reverse is also entirely feasible.

Diabetes Care

Pharmacological inhibition of AMPK activity blunted slightly the effects of PRL on NPY and CART but reversed entirely the effects of Dex or of PRL plus Dex on CART mRNA.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "entirely the reverse" to create a strong contrast with a previously stated idea. This is effective when you want to emphasize a complete shift or opposition.

Common error

Avoid using "entirely the reverse" when you mean a partial or slight difference. This phrase should only be used when something is the complete opposite, not just somewhat different.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entirely the reverse" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the implied verb to express a complete opposition or reversal of a previously mentioned state or condition. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "entirely the reverse" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a complete opposition or reversal. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and provides real-world examples from authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. While relatively uncommon, it effectively highlights stark contrasts in various contexts like News & Media and Science. When writing, be sure to use it accurately to convey a total, not partial, opposite. Alternatives include "completely opposite" or "totally inverted".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely opposite

Emphasizes the total opposition, focusing on the contrast between two things.

totally inverted

Highlights the reversal aspect, suggesting a flipping of the original state.

precisely the contrary

Stresses the direct opposition, with a formal tone.

exactly the opposite

Similar to completely opposite, but with an emphasis on exactness.

in complete opposition

Focuses on the state of being opposed, highlighting the conflict.

turned on its head

An idiomatic expression indicating a complete reversal or change.

the flip side

Indicates an alternative, often contrasting, perspective or outcome.

a complete turnaround

Highlights the change in direction or condition.

the very antithesis

Highlights the extreme contrast; more formal and literary.

just the opposite

A straightforward way to indicate direct opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "entirely the reverse" in a sentence?

Use "entirely the reverse" to indicate a complete opposition or reversal of a previous statement or situation. For example: "While many believe the project will succeed, the reality is "entirely the reverse"; it is facing significant challenges."

What phrases are similar to "entirely the reverse"?

Alternatives include "completely opposite", "totally inverted", or "exactly the opposite", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "entirely the reverse"?

Yes, "entirely the reverse" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to denote a complete opposite.

What is the difference between "entirely the reverse" and "partially the reverse"?

"Entirely the reverse" indicates a complete reversal, while "partially the reverse" suggests only a partial or incomplete change. The former is used when something is the direct opposite, whereas the latter is used when something is only somewhat different.