it is totally wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is totally wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone has done something that is unacceptable or incorrect. For example: "It is totally wrong for you to take extra food from the restaurant without paying for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It is totally wrong.

The New York Times

But it is totally wrong".

The New York Times

It is totally wrong that a trusted website like Google would direct consumers to such an untrustworthy website.

The Guardian - Money

A spokeswoman for the Department for Education said; "It is totally wrong to claim that the maths curriculum will damage children's learning of maths".

Independent

"I think it is totally wrong to say that perhaps we should allow for terminations on the grounds of rape only," she said.

The Guardian

And the irritating thing is that it is totally wrong". Experts in the field warn as well that retailers' wariness of locating in minority neighborhoods poses a problem for the entire retail industry as well as ethnic communities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Stephen Alambritis of the Federation of Small Businesses says: 'It is totally wrong for RBS to take things out on the small- and medium-sized enterprise sector when the bank is still making big profits.

The Guardian - Business

"It's totally wrong though.

The New York Times

"It's totally wrong," said Mr. Halloran, 74.

The New York Times

"It's totally wrong and ridiculous".

The New York Times - Style

It's totally wrong; it can't be right.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is totally wrong" to express strong disagreement or to correct a misunderstanding directly. This phrase is suitable when you want to be clear and assertive about your viewpoint.

Common error

Avoid using "it is totally wrong" in highly formal or professional settings where a more diplomatic or nuanced expression might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "that is inaccurate" or "I respectfully disagree."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is totally wrong" functions as an assertion of strong disagreement or contradiction. It serves to directly refute a statement or action, indicating a belief that something is factually incorrect or morally unacceptable. Ludwig AI confirms this usage pattern.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is totally wrong" is a common and direct way to express strong disagreement or contradiction. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and academic settings. While versatile, it's advisable to consider the formality of the situation and opt for more nuanced alternatives in highly professional contexts. The phrase serves to correct, challenge, or express disapproval, and should be used when clarity and assertion are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's simply not true

Offers a straightforward denial, replacing "totally wrong" with a direct assertion of falsehood.

that's completely incorrect

Replaces "totally wrong" with "completely incorrect", offering a more formal tone.

that's entirely inaccurate

Substitutes "totally wrong" with "entirely inaccurate", focusing on the lack of precision or correctness.

that couldn't be further from the truth

Emphasizes the extent of the inaccuracy, suggesting the statement is the opposite of reality.

that's utterly mistaken

Uses "utterly mistaken" to emphasize the error's magnitude, suggesting a significant misunderstanding.

that's a total distortion

Replaces "wrong" with "distortion", indicating a skewed or misrepresented version of the truth.

that's patently false

Employs "patently false" to indicate that the statement is obviously untrue.

that's a blatant lie

Uses "blatant lie" to accuse someone of deliberately stating an untruth.

that's a complete fabrication

Uses "complete fabrication" to suggest the statement is intentionally made up or invented.

that's way off base

Offers a more colloquial alternative, implying the statement is far from accurate or relevant.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it is totally wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "that's completely incorrect", "that's utterly mistaken", or "that's simply not true" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it is totally wrong"?

The phrase "it is totally wrong" is appropriate when you want to express strong disagreement or contradiction. It's best used when you believe something is factually incorrect or morally unacceptable.

Is "it is totally wrong" too informal for academic writing?

While "it is totally wrong" is acceptable, academic writing often benefits from more precise and formal language. Consider alternatives such as "that is inaccurate" or "that claim is unsupported".

What's the difference between "it is totally wrong" and "it is partially wrong"?

"It is totally wrong" indicates complete inaccuracy or unacceptability, whereas "it is partially wrong" suggests that only some aspects are incorrect or unacceptable.