it is wholly wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is wholly wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong disagreement or condemnation of an idea, action, or statement. Example: "In my opinion, the decision to cut funding for education is wholly wrong and detrimental to our future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It is wholly wrong and entirely false to suggest that any comments made by Michael concerning professional cricketers are anything other than his genuinely held, honest opinions".

The Guardian - Sport

Dr Todd Huffman, director of graduate studies for particle physics, Oxford University "It is wholly wrong for a government to decide which degrees are more or less worthy than others.

The Guardian

In March, Clegg campaigned against the amount of money Lord Ashcroft donated to the Conservative party, saying: "I think if you are seeking to influence the outcome of the next general election … then it is wholly wrong that you basically seek to pay taxes only partially in this country".

The Guardian

"It is wholly wrong to say the health board is cancelling all non-urgent elective orthopaedic surgery.

BBC

"I think that it is wholly wrong and I think that sort of selection of mankind, of human beings, is something we would do well to avoid.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It was wholly wrong that 2010 licence fee settlement was not subject to any public or parliamentary consultation".

The Guardian

Clegg also said it was "wholly wrong" for party donors not to be fully resident in the UK.

The Guardian

Responding to the accusation of misogyny, Neill said it was "wholly wrong as far as I am concerned and bloody outrageous to suggest it".

The Guardian

Neville Lawrence said it was "wholly wrong" that the Metropolitan police had permitted former commander Richard Walton to retire from his post as the head of its counter-terrorism command.

The Guardian

As for further "top-slicing", following John's lead, we were again quite clear: "It was wholly wrong that the 2010 licence fee settlement, which permitted the licence fee revenue to be used for new purposes, was not subject to any public or parliamentary consultation".

The Guardian

UKIP said the moves paved the way for governments to "block free speech", while campaign group Big Brother Watch said it was "wholly wrong" to label someone as an extremist without a "due legal process".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is wholly wrong" when you want to express strong disagreement or condemnation in a formal or professional setting. For less formal situations, consider using alternatives like "it is completely wrong" or "that's just not right".

Common error

Avoid using "it is wholly wrong" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound overly harsh or stilted in everyday settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is wholly wrong" functions as a strong declarative statement, expressing complete disagreement or disapproval. It is used to assert that something is entirely incorrect or unacceptable. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is wholly wrong" is a strong and direct way to express complete disagreement or disapproval. While grammatically correct, as affirmed by Ludwig, its formality makes it more suitable for professional or news contexts rather than casual conversation. It is found most frequently in News & Media sources. Consider related phrases such as "it is utterly wrong" or "it is completely wrong" for similar meanings, but adjust based on the desired tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is utterly wrong

Emphasizes the complete and absolute nature of the wrongness, similar to the original phrase.

it is completely wrong

A more common and slightly less formal way of expressing the same idea.

it is entirely wrong

Synonymous, but with a slightly different emphasis on the extent of the error.

it is fundamentally wrong

Highlights that the wrongness is based on a deep, foundational error.

it is wholly inaccurate

Shifts the focus from morality to factual correctness.

it is wholly inappropriate

Indicates that something does not fit the context or situation.

it is quite wrong

A milder way of expressing disagreement or disapproval.

it is simply wrong

Highlights the wrongness in a straightforward and uncomplicated manner.

that's just not right

An informal way to express disapproval, often used in everyday conversation.

it is a mistake

Downplays the degree of wrongness, presenting it as an error in judgment.

FAQs

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

Use "it is wholly wrong" to express strong disagreement or condemnation. For example, "It is wholly wrong to assume that all politicians are corrupt."

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

Alternatives include "it is utterly wrong", "it is completely wrong", or "it is fundamentally wrong". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is wholly wrong" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "it is wholly wrong" is suitable for formal writing when you need to express a strong objection or disagreement. Consider the tone, as it can come across as forceful.

What's the difference between "it is wholly wrong" and "it is partly wrong"?

"It is wholly wrong" means something is entirely incorrect or unacceptable, while "it is partly wrong" suggests that only a portion is flawed. They convey different degrees of error or disapproval.