entirely wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entirely wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is completely wrong, incorrect, or off-base. For example: "The manager's explanation of the incident was entirely wrong; it simply didn't add up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was quite entirely wrong.

The New Yorker

That's entirely wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

Abbott wasn't entirely wrong.

The Guardian - Music

They were entirely wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not entirely wrong, however.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's not entirely wrong.

The New Yorker

That would be entirely wrong".

The Guardian - Business

She was not entirely wrong.

The New York Times

It is also entirely wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet it's also entirely wrong.

The Guardian - Tech

This formulation isn't entirely wrong.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "entirely wrong" to express a strong disagreement or to indicate that something is completely incorrect, leaving no room for partial correctness. For example: "His assessment of the situation was "entirely wrong"."

Common error

While "entirely wrong" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more nuanced or specific language to describe the nature of the error. For instance, instead of saying "The hypothesis was "entirely wrong", consider saying "The hypothesis was unsupported by the evidence and required revision".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entirely wrong" functions as an adverb-adjective combination. The adverb "entirely" intensifies the adjective "wrong", emphasizing the complete and utter incorrectness of something. Ludwig provides many examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "entirely wrong" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is completely incorrect. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media sources and can also be found in scientific and business writing. While it is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly academic contexts. Remember to use "entirely wrong" to emphasize a complete lack of correctness and to avoid overuse in overly formal situations. Its strong and direct nature makes it a useful tool for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely incorrect

Replaces "wrong" with "incorrect" and "entirely" with "completely", maintaining the same intensity of error.

utterly mistaken

Substitutes "wrong" with "mistaken" and "entirely" with "utterly", conveying a sense of complete misjudgment.

wholly inaccurate

Replaces "wrong" with "inaccurate" and "entirely" with "wholly", emphasizing the lack of precision or truth.

totally erroneous

Substitutes "wrong" with "erroneous" and "entirely" with "totally", highlighting a fundamental error in reasoning or fact.

absolutely false

Replaces "wrong" with "false" and "entirely" with "absolutely", stressing the complete absence of truth.

patently incorrect

Uses "patently" to emphasize the obviousness of the error, suggesting it is easily demonstrable as wrong.

completely off base

An idiomatic alternative indicating that something is entirely misguided or irrelevant.

dead wrong

An informal alternative emphasizing the certainty and completeness of the error.

in total error

Focuses on the state of being completely mistaken, rather than the nature of the statement or belief.

entirely unfounded

Indicates that something lacks any basis in fact or evidence, making it completely wrong.

FAQs

How can I use "entirely wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "entirely wrong" to strongly assert that something is completely incorrect. For example: "The initial prediction was "entirely wrong", leading to significant adjustments in strategy."

What are some alternatives to "entirely wrong"?

Alternatives include "completely incorrect", "utterly mistaken", or "wholly inaccurate". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "entirely wrong" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "entirely wrong" can sometimes be perceived as too direct for academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "completely unfounded" or "wholly erroneous" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "entirely wrong" and "partially wrong"?

"Entirely wrong" indicates a complete lack of correctness, whereas "partially wrong" suggests that some aspects are correct while others are not. If something is "partially wrong", it needs refinement; if it's "entirely wrong", it likely needs to be discarded or fundamentally revised.