gravely wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gravely wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that is seriously incorrect or morally unacceptable. Example: "The decision to ignore the safety protocols was gravely wrong and put everyone at risk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Remember that it is gravely wrong to receive Holy Communion with a mortal sin (grave offence against the law of God) on your soul.

WikiHow

Very clever people can be gravely wrong.

The Guardian

Any impression that I regard such power as constitutional would be gravely wrong.

The New York Times

Its position, he says, is that:... it is gravely wrong deliberately to destroy a human embryo.

The Guardian - Opinion

Political observers need not be cynical to believe that there is something gravely wrong with politics in America.

The Guardian - Opinion

The church officially holds that using such contraception violates the integrity of sexual intercourse and is gravely wrong.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Nevertheless, just when we are starting to realize how gravely we are wronging animals, and to do something about this – like the very welcome European Union ban on standard battery cages for laying hens, which came into effect on 1 January this year – we ought not to be finding new ways to exploit them.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is always wrong and gravely evil.

The Guardian

"We know what we're doing is wrong," he said gravely.

The New York Times

When something has gone horrendously wrong, you admit gravely that yes, you were responsible, but no, you were not to blame.

The Guardian

Hours later, one of the emergency room doctors pulled up a chair and said gravely, "You must know something is wrong with her brain, right?" We stared at her. Something was wrong with her brain, too, in addition to everything else? "Well," she told us, "Natalie's brain is atrophic".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gravely wrong" to express serious errors in judgment or moral failings. Its impact lies in conveying a severe degree of incorrectness.

Common error

Avoid using "gravely wrong" in everyday or trivial situations. Its intensity is best reserved for scenarios involving significant consequences or ethical implications, otherwise you may sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gravely wrong" functions as an intensifier combined with an adjective to express a strong condemnation or judgment. It emphasizes the severity of an error or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability of the phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gravely wrong" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote a serious error or misjudgment, often with moral or ethical implications. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to convey a strong condemnation or judgment, emphasizing the severity of the issue at hand. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "gravely wrong" serves to highlight significant negative consequences. While effective in formal and serious settings, it should be used judiciously in casual conversation to avoid sounding hyperbolic. Alternatives such as "seriously mistaken", "deeply flawed", or "fundamentally flawed" offer nuanced ways to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriously mistaken

Highlights the significant consequences of the error.

badly mistaken

Stresses the severity of the mistake made.

profoundly mistaken

Emphasizes the depth of the error in understanding or judgment.

deeply flawed

Focuses on the inherent defects within a concept or action.

terribly incorrect

Emphasizes the magnitude of the inaccuracy.

fundamentally flawed

Indicates an error at the most basic or essential level.

wholly inaccurate

Indicates a complete lack of correctness.

grievously erred

Suggests a severe and regrettable mistake.

decidedly inappropriate

Shifts the focus to the unsuitability of an action or statement.

woefully inadequate

Highlights the severe deficiency or insufficiency.

FAQs

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

You can use "gravely wrong" to describe actions or decisions with severe moral or ethical implications. For instance, "It would be "gravely wrong" to ignore the suffering of others."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "gravely wrong"?

Alternatives to "gravely wrong" include "seriously mistaken", "deeply flawed", or "fundamentally flawed", each conveying a significant degree of error or fault.

Is it better to say "seriously wrong" or "gravely wrong"?

Both "seriously wrong" and "gravely wrong" indicate a significant error, but "gravely wrong" suggests a more profound or severe level of wrongness, often with ethical or moral implications. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

Can "gravely wrong" be used in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "gravely wrong" is more suited to formal or serious contexts due to its strong connotations. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "very wrong" or "really bad" might be more appropriate.