grossly erroneous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'grossly erroneous' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a statement, opinion, or belief that is fundamentally wrong or mistaken. For example, you could say "The analysis was grossly erroneous, presenting outdated information that was no longer relevant".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

To say that Holmes and Watson were not shocked would be grossly erroneous.

Stanford University

However, in practice, multi-frequency intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and pseudo IMFs are likely generated and lead to grossly erroneous or even completely meaningless instantaneous frequencies, which raise difficulties in interpreting signal features by the HHT spectrum.

Measurement

Their structure and means of allocating resources removed almost all incentive to work, and the breakdown in the statistical system meant that the top leaders had grossly erroneous ideas about what was occurring.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While Kahriger did indeed, in my judgment, rest upon an 'excessively narrow' view of the scope of the privilege against self-incrimination, I cannot say that hindsight reveals that judgment to have been so grossly erroneous as to amount to the perpetration of an inexcusable inequity against Mackey in these circumstances.

Cornell University

Logan has been suspended by CBS for her part in a grossly erroneous report on the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.

Huffington Post

In the case of Anderson Cooper it's even worse because he also works for 60 Minutes over at CBS, which is recovering from airing a grossly erroneous report about the attack on the Benghazi consulate.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

However, some of the estimates may grossly lead to erroneous predictions of future production behavior.

Petroleum Science

enough has been learned in recent years to show that descriptions of ocean circulation in current textbooks are erroneous or grossly incomplete.

The New York Times - Science

Why wasn't this brought up before the election?" Although all of the Friday-to-Monday statements by the soon-to-be leader of the free world are grossly troubling at best, the "hacker" tweet from Monday was particularly disturbing and erroneous.

TechCrunch

Grossly unlikely.

The New Yorker

The erroneous S.& P.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grossly erroneous", ensure the context clearly establishes the magnitude and impact of the error. For example, instead of simply stating "the data was grossly erroneous", specify the consequences of the error: "The data was grossly erroneous, leading to a misallocation of resources."

Common error

Avoid using "grossly erroneous" when a simpler term like "wrong" or "incorrect" suffices. Overusing intensifiers can weaken your writing and make it sound melodramatic. Reserve "grossly erroneous" for situations where the error is truly significant and consequential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grossly erroneous" functions as an intensifier (grossly) modifying an adjective (erroneous). According to Ludwig, it describes something fundamentally mistaken. Examples from the provided data showcase its use in academic papers, news reports, and encyclopedic entries.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grossly erroneous" is a grammatically correct and usable expression used to describe something fundamentally wrong or mistaken. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase serves to strongly emphasize the incorrectness or inaccuracy of something, highlighting its significance and potential consequences. While its usage is more common in formal contexts such as news, scientific, and academic writing, it should be used judiciously to avoid overstating the obvious. Alternatives such as "highly inaccurate" or "patently false" offer similar emphasis, allowing writers to choose the most appropriate term for their specific context. Remember to ensure the context clearly establishes the magnitude and impact of the error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly inaccurate

Emphasizes the degree of inaccuracy, focusing on the deviation from precise figures or facts.

patently false

Highlights the obvious nature of the falsehood, suggesting it's easily recognizable as untrue.

blatantly incorrect

Stresses the obvious and conspicuous nature of the error.

clearly mistaken

Focuses on the act of making a mistake, implying a lack of awareness or understanding.

seriously flawed

Highlights the presence of significant defects or imperfections that undermine the correctness.

egregiously inaccurate

Highlights a shocking or outstandingly bad level of inaccuracy.

woefully misguided

Emphasizes the lack of direction or proper guidance leading to the error.

utterly wrong

Highlights the completeness and totality of the error, leaving no room for doubt.

wildly inaccurate

Suggests a large deviation from the true or correct value, emphasizing the extent of the error.

completely fallacious

Points out the deceptive or misleading nature of the error, implying a flawed reasoning or logic.

FAQs

How can I use "grossly erroneous" in a sentence?

Use "grossly erroneous" to describe something fundamentally wrong or mistaken. For example: "The report contained "grossly erroneous" data, which invalidated its conclusions."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "grossly erroneous"?

Alternatives include "highly inaccurate", "patently false", or "blatantly incorrect". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "grossly erroneous" instead of "erroneous"?

"Grossly erroneous" should be used when you want to emphasize the significant degree to which something is mistaken or wrong. "Erroneous" is a more general term for something containing errors.

Is "grossly erroneous" a formal or informal expression?

"Grossly erroneous" is generally considered a formal expression and is suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts. More informal situations may benefit from simpler alternatives.