obviously incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obviously incorrect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is clearly wrong or mistaken without any doubt. Example: "The answer he provided was obviously incorrect, as it contradicted the established facts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Why does Cameron feel the need to smear his opponent with obviously incorrect information?

The Guardian

"She heard part of what I was saying, which was obviously incorrect," Lee says.

The New York Times - Magazine

They don't want to praise the president, even implicitly by acknowledging a historical fact so instead they choose the obviously incorrect answer to make a point.

The New York Times

In appealing that ruling to the Supreme Court, the administration said the Ninth Circuit's ruling was so obviously incorrect that the justices should overturn it summarily, without hearing argument.

The New York Times

But it is especially galling that our modern understanding of pterosaurs, brought about entirely by formal scientific research, has been taken as correct position by a twenty-first-century creationist, and then used to attack outdated ideas as being obviously incorrect.

The Guardian

Some tours will whisk you through parts of the city's vast shanty towns in sealed air-conditioned vehicles, leaving you to spout offensive and obviously incorrect platitudes such as "This is so authentic!" and "The children have nothing, but they all look so happy!", safe in the knowledge that none of them will actually try to touch you.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

At Converso-Kaufman a white chaise on rockers designed by the architect Richard Meier looks terrific but is obviously ergonomically incorrect.

The New York Times - Arts

Obviously, the incorrect network topology estimate could result in a miscalculation of real-time LMP. Figure 1 illustrates two types of impact flows corresponding to continuous (e.g., the power injection/flow and voltage magnitude) and discrete (e.g., the on/off status of CB) data corruption among SCADA, EMS, and MMS.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

This is obviously an incorrect comparison since the lymph node dissection in one group has already been performed and therefore this comparison does not make sense.

Annals of Surgical Oncology

Obviously, I was incorrect".

The New York Times - Sports

Obviously that's incorrect.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obviously incorrect" to clearly and directly point out errors or inaccuracies without ambiguity. This phrase is suitable when the mistake is evident and requires immediate correction or clarification.

Common error

Avoid using "obviously incorrect" when dealing with opinions or subjective interpretations. This phrase is most effective when applied to factual errors or demonstrable inaccuracies, not matters of personal preference or belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obviously incorrect" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "incorrect". It highlights the degree to which something is wrong, conveying a sense of certainty and immediacy. Ludwig AI showcases this in various contexts, reinforcing its role in emphasizing factual errors.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obviously incorrect" is a commonly used phrase to describe something that is clearly and undeniably wrong. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as an adverbial modifier, used to emphatically point out errors. While suitable for many contexts like science and news, it is important to consider the tone and potential for misinterpretation in more formal settings. When aiming for a more neutral approach, consider replacing with "incorrect". "Obviously incorrect" should be reserved for cases where the error is blatant and beyond reasonable dispute. Alternatives like "patently false" or "blatantly wrong" can also be used to convey a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patently false

Emphasizes the falseness being readily apparent.

blatantly wrong

Highlights the wrongness in an obvious and offensive way.

clearly mistaken

Focuses on the error being evident and unambiguous.

manifestly inaccurate

Stresses the inaccuracy being plain and easily demonstrable.

undeniably flawed

Highlights the presence of flaws that cannot be denied.

demonstrably false

Emphasizes the capability to prove the statement's falsity.

indisputably wrong

Highlights the impossibility to argue the incorrectness.

plainly wrong

Focuses on the straightforward incorrectness of something.

unquestionably false

Indicates there's no room to question the statement's falsity.

palpably untrue

Highlights that the lack of truthfulness can be sensed or felt.

FAQs

How can I use "obviously incorrect" in a sentence?

You can use "obviously incorrect" to describe something that is clearly wrong or mistaken. For example: "The calculation was "obviously incorrect", leading to the wrong conclusion."

What's a more formal alternative to "obviously incorrect"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "demonstrably false" or "manifestly inaccurate". These alternatives convey a similar meaning but are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "obviously incorrect" and "probably incorrect"?

"Obviously incorrect" indicates a clear and undeniable error, while "probably incorrect" suggests a higher likelihood of being wrong but with some uncertainty. The former is used when the mistake is evident, whereas the latter is used when there's a suspicion but no certainty.

Which is better, saying "obviously incorrect" or "incorrect"?

Using "obviously incorrect" emphasizes the clarity and certainty of the error. It's more emphatic than simply saying "incorrect" and is useful when you want to highlight the blatant nature of the mistake. However, avoid using it when the error is not truly obvious, as it can come across as condescending. In some cases, it could be better to use the neutral term "incorrect".