flatly wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

"flatly wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this expression to describe an incorrect or misguided opinion or idea. For example, "His reasoning was flatly wrong; there is no way that his plan could have worked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

This is flatly wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Their facts were flatly wrong.

The New York Times

Akter said the allegations were flatly wrong.

The Guardian

Except that the argument is flatly wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The I.A.C. is flatly wrong in this regard.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Bush is sometimes mocked as a dimwit, but this seems flatly wrong.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Some of it, eg the phrase "the levels of encryption," is flatly factually wrong.

TechCrunch

And that is flatly the wrong debate to have in mind.

Huffington Post

Fox now knew their story was flatly, factually wrong, and they took it "under advisement".

Huffington Post

When a rabbi told her, flatly, "Theater is wrong," she said, she was motivated to do something about it.

The New York Times

But when it came to Supreme Court decisions, it was quite possible to get it wrong, flatly and irrevocably.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "flatly wrong," ensure you can substantiate your claim with evidence or reasoning to avoid appearing overly assertive or dismissive.

Common error

Avoid using "flatly wrong" when a statement is only partially incorrect or open to interpretation. Reserve it for situations where the error is clear and undeniable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flatly wrong" functions as an intensifier followed by an adjective, serving to strongly assert that something is incorrect. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is used to convey disagreement or contradiction with conviction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flatly wrong" is a commonly used phrase to express a strong and direct contradiction. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct. The phrase sees frequent use in news and media, with occurrences in science and formal business contexts as well. When using "flatly wrong", it's important to be certain of your facts and to avoid overusing it in nuanced situations. Alternatives such as "categorically incorrect" or "absolutely false" can provide similar emphasis with slightly different nuances. Remember to substantiate your claims to avoid appearing overly assertive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely false

Highlights the complete lack of truth.

unequivocally wrong

Stresses that there is no doubt about the incorrectness.

categorically incorrect

Emphasizes the lack of any possible truth or validity.

indisputably incorrect

Indicates that the incorrectness is beyond any reasonable argument.

patently untrue

Indicates that the statement is obviously not true upon examination.

demonstrably false

Implies that the statement can be proven wrong.

manifestly inaccurate

Highlights the clear and obvious nature of the inaccuracy.

completely mistaken

Focuses on the error in understanding or perception.

decidedly untrue

Suggests a deliberate or firm assertion of untruth.

dead wrong

Informal way of saying completely wrong.

FAQs

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

You can use "flatly wrong" to strongly contradict a statement. For example, "His assumption that the project would be completed on time was "flatly wrong"."

What are some alternatives to saying "flatly wrong"?

Some alternatives to "flatly wrong" include "absolutely false", "categorically incorrect", or "demonstrably false". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "flatly wrong" formal or informal?

"Flatly wrong" is relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it carries a degree of assertiveness. Consider the specific audience and situation when using it.

Which is correct, "flatly wrong" or "completely wrong"?

Both "flatly wrong" and "completely wrong" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Flatly wrong" implies a more direct and forceful contradiction, while "completely wrong" simply indicates a total lack of correctness.