horrendously wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "horrendously wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, action, or decision that is extremely incorrect or misguided. Example: "The calculations in the report were horrendously wrong, leading to significant financial losses for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Evidently, the market got some things – like the value of certain financial securities – horrendously wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

We want to hear your stories of surprises gone horrendously wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their functional dysfunctional home is destroyed by another exemplary symptom of modern American dislocation and unhappiness: a cyber-date gone horrendously wrong.

The New York Times - Books

January began with the annual klatch of critics gathered for the Slate Movie Club, four chipper scribblers being smart and politely argumentative and, now and then, horrendously wrong.

The New York Times

There were two clear decisions in the first half when he got it horrendously wrong but he wasn't the reason we lost".

The Guardian - Sport

And when Jenny finally gets some kind of violent revenge, and this goes horrendously wrong, it is, once again, all too believable.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

According to Gervais, songs recorded for the movie include an untitled ditty about the plight of the Native American Indian which is "horrendously pompous and wrong and accidentally insulting", and the singer's festive effort Don't Cry it's Christmas, "about an orphan he knew".

The Guardian - Film

Not, as many service users believe, because I love locking people up who have done nothing wrong nor that I was horrendously bullied at school and am seeking retribution on life (despite possessing an 80s hair parting that could be seen from space and trousers that were perpetually too short).

The Guardian

They're not so much a cultural craze, more a confused symptom of a horrendously open world in which nothing is wrong or right or good or bad.

Vice

It was horrendously frightening.

The New York Times - Arts

"It is getting horrendously bad".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "horrendously wrong" to emphasize a severe error or misjudgment, particularly when highlighting the negative consequences or the shocking nature of the mistake. Ensure the context warrants such a strong term.

Common error

Avoid using "horrendously wrong" in contexts where the error is minor or inconsequential. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "horrendously wrong" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It emphasizes the extreme degree to which something is incorrect or mistaken. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, highlighting its role in conveying a significant error.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "horrendously wrong" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the severity of an error or misjudgment. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and practical use. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, and while generally neutral, it carries a strong emphatic tone. When using "horrendously wrong", ensure the context warrants such strong language and avoid overuse in minor situations. Alternative phrases such as "terribly mistaken", or "dreadfully incorrect" can be used depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terribly mistaken

Emphasizes the error as a result of misunderstanding or incorrect judgment.

dreadfully incorrect

Highlights the severe degree of inaccuracy.

appallingly inaccurate

Stresses the shocking nature of the error.

egregiously flawed

Focuses on the conspicuous and unacceptable defects.

grievously mistaken

Suggests the error has caused significant harm or regret.

wildly inaccurate

Emphasizes the large margin of error and deviation from the truth.

utterly misguided

Highlights that the entire approach was fundamentally wrong.

horribly awry

Indicates that something has gone terribly off course or wrong.

seriously askew

Emphasizes that the action or result is severely distorted or out of alignment.

monstrously false

Highlights that the statement or information is extremely untrue or deceptive.

FAQs

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

You can use "horrendously wrong" to describe something that is extremely incorrect or misguided. For example, "The calculations in the report were "horrendously wrong", leading to significant financial losses for the company."

What are some alternatives to saying "horrendously wrong"?

You can use alternatives such as "terribly mistaken", "dreadfully incorrect", or "appallingly inaccurate" depending on the context.

Is "horrendously wrong" a formal or informal expression?

"Horrendously wrong" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though its strong emphasis makes it more impactful. Consider alternatives like "seriously askew" in professional settings.

What's the difference between "horrendously wrong" and "slightly off"?

"Horrendously wrong" indicates a major error with significant consequences, while "slightly off" implies a minor, almost negligible inaccuracy. The choice depends on the severity of the error you're describing.