manifestly wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

"manifestly wrong" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that is very obviously incorrect or wrong. For example, "It was manifestly wrong of him to take advantage of her vulnerability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

He is manifestly wrong.

The New York Times

"Israel's assertion that the attacks on the infrastructure were lawful is manifestly wrong," she said.

The Guardian

Chief executive Michael O'Leary said: "This provisional decision is bizarre and manifestly wrong".

The Guardian - Business

"Any suggestion that I simply misunderstood my instructions is manifestly wrong.

The Guardian

Grant said banning books from being sent into prisons "seems to me manifestly wrong".

The Guardian - Books

Judges who overturned Mrs Clark's conviction on appeal said Prof Meadow's evidence was "manifestly wrong" and "grossly misleading".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

In terms of the above definition of torture there are at least two things that are manifestly morally wrong with torture.

SEP

A three-judge panel, headed by Lord Justice Hughes, was unable to say his sentence was "arguably either manifestly excessive or wrong in principle".

The Guardian

Not only has Alessandro Nencini, the presiding judge of the Florence appeals court, apparently resorted to the same tortured logic as his predecessors; he has also stated things as fact that are manifestly and provably wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

A panel of five judges, headed by the Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, heard argument at the Court of Appeal on 24 January on behalf of Attorney General Dominic Grieve, that tariffs which mean criminals have to spend the rest of their days behind bars are not "manifestly excessive or wrong in principle".

Independent

The real questions in both cases are whether the administration failed to act against real threats because it was preoccupied with a preconceived agenda; why officials who manifestly got it wrong have not been held accountable; and whether, because nobody has been held accountable, the administration is continuing to make the same mistakes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "manifestly wrong" when you want to emphasize that something is not just incorrect, but undeniably and obviously so. It carries a stronger tone than simply saying "wrong".

Common error

Avoid using "manifestly wrong" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound pretentious or overly critical in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manifestly wrong" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is evidently and undeniably incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and correct English phrase. Examples show it used to describe decisions, statements, and conclusions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "manifestly wrong" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is clearly and obviously incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as academic contexts, indicating a formal or neutral register. Related phrases include "patently wrong" and "obviously false". When using this phrase, remember that while it's grammatically correct, overuse in informal settings can sound pretentious. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate a consistent pattern of usage, solidifying its place as an effective and accurate expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patently wrong

Emphasizes the obviousness of the error, similar to "manifestly wrong" but with a slightly different tone.

clearly incorrect

A more straightforward and less formal way of saying something is "manifestly wrong".

plainly mistaken

Focuses on the idea of being mistaken rather than inherently wrong, suggesting an error in judgment.

obviously false

Highlights the falsehood of something, making it clear that it does not align with the truth.

demonstrably false

Indicates that the error can be proven, adding a level of evidence.

undeniably incorrect

Emphasizes the lack of any possible dispute about the error.

blatantly erroneous

Adds a strong emphasis on the obviousness and unacceptability of the error.

palpably false

Suggests the error is so obvious it can be easily perceived.

indisputably wrong

Highlights that the error is beyond any reasonable disagreement.

flagrantly false

Implies that the error is not only wrong but also openly and shamelessly so.

FAQs

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

Use "manifestly wrong" to describe something that is clearly and obviously incorrect, such as "The judge's decision was "manifestly wrong" and needed to be overturned".

What are some alternatives to "manifestly wrong"?

Alternatives include "patently wrong", "clearly incorrect", or "obviously false". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "manifestly wrong" a formal expression?

Yes, "manifestly wrong" is considered a formal expression. It is best suited for academic, professional, or journalistic contexts rather than casual conversation.

What's the difference between "manifestly wrong" and "simply wrong"?

"Manifestly wrong" emphasizes that the incorrectness is obvious and undeniable, whereas "simply wrong" is a more neutral and straightforward statement of error. "Manifestly wrong" carries a stronger connotation of certainty.