how wrong it is

USAGE SUMMARY

"how wrong it is" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express a strong opinion or emotion about something that is perceived as incorrect or immoral. Example: "I cannot believe how wrong it is to discriminate against someone because of their race or gender."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

If he believes in an action, no matter how wrong it is, he will not apologise.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, evidence shows how wrong it is to snub the traffic building arsenal.

The Guardian - Tech

(It reminds me of "Glee," which likes to insult fat people and then sing songs about how wrong it is to bully them).

The New Yorker

"Our first reaction was, well, you kind of expect this kind of thing to go on," Moynihan says, "but then you realise how wrong it is.

The Guardian

If the public truly believes that we are better off today than we were a year ago, the next disaster will prove how wrong it is.

The New York Times

The Times has performed a vital service by highlighting just how wrong it is for prisons to deny inmates three proper meals a day.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

And how wrong it was.

The New Yorker

"I didn't think about how wrong it was".

The New York Times

It was a thoughtful reappropriation that partly highlighted how wrong it was.

Independent

"I put my first foot on the soil and immediately realised how wrong it was.

Independent

"I thought about how wrong it was, and I was fighting myself about whether to do it".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how wrong it is", ensure that the context clearly establishes what specific action or belief is being criticized to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "how wrong it is" in overly casual or informal conversations; opt for simpler phrasing like "that's wrong" or "it's not right" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how wrong it is" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing a strong opinion or judgment about the incorrectness or immorality of something. Ludwig AI indicates that is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English. The phrase often introduces a clause that explains what is considered wrong.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how wrong it is" is a versatile phrase for expressing disapproval or disagreement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, primarily in News & Media and academic contexts. While its meaning is straightforward, careful attention should be paid to the context in which it's used to ensure clarity and avoid overuse in informal settings. Consider related phrases such as "how incorrect it is" or "to what extent it is wrong" for subtle variations in tone and emphasis. Using it accurately can make your writing more impactful and persuasive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how incorrect it is

Replaces "wrong" with a more formal synonym, "incorrect".

how mistaken it is

Substitutes "wrong" with "mistaken", emphasizing an error in judgment.

how erroneous it is

Replaces "wrong" with "erroneous", indicating a deviation from truth or accuracy.

the degree to which it's wrong

Emphasizes the extent of the incorrectness.

to what extent it is wrong

Highlights the scope or magnitude of the error or offense.

how far from the truth it is

Focuses on the deviation from factual accuracy.

the fallacy of it

Highlights that it is a false or mistaken idea.

the error inherent in it

Emphasizes that the mistake is a basic part of it.

how misguided it is

Focuses on the poor judgement.

how flawed it is

Emphasizes that it is imperfect.

FAQs

How can I use "how wrong it is" in a sentence?

You can use "how wrong it is" to express strong disagreement or criticism. For example, "I can't believe how wrong it is to treat animals cruelly."

What phrases are similar to "how wrong it is"?

Similar phrases include "how incorrect it is", "how mistaken it is", or "how erroneous it is".

Is it better to say "how wrong it is" or "that is wrong"?

"How wrong it is" is typically used for emphasis or strong emotional expression, while "that is wrong" is a more straightforward statement. The better choice depends on the context and the desired impact.

What's the difference between "how wrong it is" and "how wrong it was"?

"How wrong it is" refers to a current situation or belief, while "how wrong it was" refers to something in the past. The tense indicates the timeframe of the perceived error.