grossly wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'grossly wrong' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation, decision, or opinion that is shockingly and obviously wrong. For example, "His judgment of the situation was grossly wrong and resulted in dire consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

And yet there's something grossly wrong with this assessment.

The New York Times

There is something grossly wrong with our society if, as the article states, the average salary on Wall Street is $392,000 while for other workers in the city it is $63,875.

The New York Times

Kris Cussan, a student at Loughborough University, says: "We are annoyed he is downplaying the incident and with his excuses, when he should just admit what he did was grossly wrong.

The Guardian

Asked about accusations that he was anti-Israel, Judge Goldstone acknowledged he was Jewish and said, "It is grossly wrong to label a mission or to label a report critical of Israel as being anti-Israel".

The New York Times

Then, that very same site comes out and says, "Hey, we may have been grossly wrong with our information there, sorry".

TechCrunch

What was it about the return of the show that was so grossly wrong?

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The Military Officers Association of America criticized this as "a grossly insensitive and wrong-headed proposal".

The New York Times

This is grossly unjust, even wrong-headed, for it defies logic to think that the sum of the world's creativity is confined to a handful of wealthy nations.

The New York Times

"I think it's utterly wrong and grossly unfair".

The New York Times

It would be grossly negligent and morally wrong for the government not to act now.

The Guardian

Judges who overturned Mrs Clark's conviction on appeal said Prof Meadow's evidence was "manifestly wrong" and "grossly misleading".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grossly wrong" to emphasize the severity and obviousness of an error, misjudgment, or inappropriate action. It conveys a stronger sense of disapproval than simply saying something is 'wrong'.

Common error

Avoid using "grossly wrong" in informal conversations or lighthearted situations. Its strong connotation of severity and disapproval can sound overly dramatic or insincere in casual contexts. Opt for milder alternatives like "mistaken" or "inaccurate" when a less emphatic tone is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grossly wrong" functions as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the degree to which something is incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe situations, decisions, or opinions that are shockingly and obviously wrong. This emphasizes the significant deviation from what is correct or acceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

10%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grossly wrong" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the severity and obviousness of an error. Ludwig AI confirms its usage to describe situations or opinions that are shockingly incorrect. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, indicating a neutral register. Related phrases include "patently wrong" and "utterly wrong". When using this phrase, it's important to avoid overuse in casual contexts and to be mindful of its strong connotation. The analysis shows the phrase serves to express strong disapproval and it's useful to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patently wrong

Emphasizes the obvious and undeniable nature of the error.

distinctly wrong

Highlights the clear and unmistakable nature of the error.

utterly wrong

Stresses the complete and absolute nature of the error.

manifestly wrong

Similar to 'patently wrong', it underlines the evident and apparent nature of the error.

scandalously wrong

Adds a layer of moral reprehensibility to the error.

severely wrong

Focuses on the gravity and seriousness of the error.

shockingly wrong

Emphasizes the surprising and disturbing nature of the error.

gravely wrong

Highlights the serious and concerning nature of the error.

seriously wrong

Emphasizes the significant and consequential nature of the error.

blatantly wrong

Highlights the obvious and intentional nature of the error.

FAQs

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

You can use "grossly wrong" to describe something that is shockingly incorrect or inappropriate. For example, "His assessment of the situation was "grossly wrong" and led to significant losses".

What are some alternatives to "grossly wrong"?

Some alternatives include "patently wrong", "utterly wrong", or "seriously wrong". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "grossly wrong" a formal or informal expression?

"Grossly wrong" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but is more appropriate in formal writing or speech due to its emphatic nature. In casual settings, consider using a milder expression unless you want to emphasize the severity of the error.

What's the difference between "grossly wrong" and "slightly wrong"?

"Grossly wrong" indicates a significant and obvious error, while "slightly wrong" suggests a minor or negligible mistake. The term "grossly" amplifies the degree of incorrectness, making it a stronger statement than simply saying something is "slightly wrong".