is totally off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is totally off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is incorrect, inappropriate, or not aligned with expectations. Example: "His assessment of the situation is totally off; he doesn't understand the full context."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

As Dean says, the arithmetic is totally off — almost two orders of magnitude off.

The New York Times

"Right now, I believe the government is totally off in the figures.

The New York Times

John Kalish, Brussels America needs China Paul Krugman ("Taking on China," Views, March 16) is totally off base.

The New York Times

They say that Heroku's pricing structure is totally off, as the vast majority of customers never pay for anything, while the ones that do pay prices that are five times higher than what Amazon costs.

TechCrunch

"This is totally off the wall!

The New Yorker

"Why is it that Italian pop music is totally off the radar?

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

It is about marketing that story to western society, where it is totally off-piste, creating an interest and eventually turning the practice into something desirable".

The Guardian

The ranch is totally off-grid: electricity is provided by windmills and solar panels, and the owners have created a private wetland nature reserve for wild orchids, junipers and beavers.

The Guardian - Travel

"Well, their predictions were totally off," he wrote.

The New Yorker

And as for the Second Amendment, I believe its meaning is quite clear and that both Attorney General John Ashcroft and the N.R.A. are totally off base.

The New York Times

Or I could be totally off and the 3DS will retail well north of $199.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is totally off" to express a strong disagreement or to indicate that something is significantly inaccurate. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the degree of error or misjudgment.

Common error

While "is totally off" is acceptable, it might sound too casual or informal in academic papers or formal business communications. Opt for more professional alternatives like "is entirely mistaken" or "is significantly inaccurate" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is totally off" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a subject to indicate a state of incorrectness or inaccuracy. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase follows standard grammar rules. It is often used to express disagreement or to suggest that something is unrealistic or misguided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is totally off" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that indicates something is incorrect or inaccurate. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness. While versatile, it's more suited for neutral to informal contexts. For more formal or academic settings, consider alternatives like "is entirely mistaken" or "is significantly inaccurate". The phrase is frequently found in News & Media. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can effectively communicate the degree of error or misjudgment in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is completely wrong

Emphasizes absolute incorrectness with a slightly stronger tone.

is entirely mistaken

Highlights a misunderstanding or misjudgment.

is way off base

Suggests the starting point or assumption is flawed.

is far from the truth

Focuses on the deviation from factual accuracy.

is a gross miscalculation

Specifically points out an error in calculation or estimation.

is utterly inaccurate

Highlights the lack of precision and correctness.

is barking up the wrong tree

Indicates a misguided effort or approach.

is missing the point

Suggests a failure to understand the central issue.

is out of touch with reality

Highlights a disconnect from the actual situation.

is a complete fabrication

Suggests something is entirely made up or untrue.

FAQs

How can I use "is totally off" in a sentence?

You can use "is totally off" to indicate that something is incorrect, misguided, or unrealistic. For example, "His assessment of the situation is totally off; he doesn't understand the full context".

What can I say instead of "is totally off"?

Alternatives include "is completely wrong", "is entirely mistaken", or "is way off base" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "is totally off" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, "is totally off" leans towards the informal side. In professional contexts, consider using phrases like "is significantly inaccurate" or "is grossly miscalculated" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "is totally off" and "is slightly off"?

"Is totally off" indicates a large degree of error or misjudgment, while "is slightly off" suggests a minor inaccuracy. The choice depends on the magnitude of the error you're describing.