obviously wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obviously wrong" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is clearly incorrect or incorrect in an obvious and easily recognizable manner. Example: "The student's answer on the math exam was obviously wrong, as they had not even attempted to solve the problem correctly." In this sentence, "obviously wrong" emphasizes the fact that the student's mistake was glaring and easily identifiable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thumpingly, obviously wrong.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Comprised of" is obviously wrong.

Independent

Well, that was obviously wrong.

The Guardian

"I was obviously wrong," he said.

The New York Times

Yet there was nothing obviously wrong.

The Economist

Sometimes I've made an obviously wrong decision.

The Guardian - Books

I considered the statement so obviously wrong.

The New Yorker

But none of them seem obviously wrong".

The New York Times

"There will be two answers that are obviously wrong.

The New Yorker

There is something immediately and obviously wrong about that statistic.

The Guardian - Opinion

The satirical argument seems either obvious or obviously wrong.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "patently wrong" or "distinctly wrong" to add nuance or emphasis to your writing.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something is "obviously wrong" without offering any supporting evidence or explanation. Even if something seems apparent to you, the audience may require additional context to understand why it's incorrect. Provide brief reasoning or evidence to reinforce your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obviously wrong" functions as an adverbially modified adjective, where "obviously" intensifies the adjective "wrong". It's used to express that something is not just incorrect, but unmistakably so. As Ludwig AI shows, it commonly appears in various forms of media and scholarly writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obviously wrong" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe something that is clearly incorrect, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its function is to emphatically state the incorrectness of something, and is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it can be too direct for highly formal situations. For alternative expressions, consider "patently wrong" or "distinctly wrong" to add nuance. When using "obviously wrong", be sure to provide context to support your assessment. With 59 real-world examples, Ludwig provides extensive illustration of this phrase in action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patently wrong

Emphasizes that the incorrectness is easily and undeniably apparent.

unquestionably wrong

Indicates that something is so clearly wrong that it cannot be challenged or doubted.

absolutely wrong

Stresses the complete and total incorrectness of something.

distinctly wrong

Highlights that the error is clear and easily noticed.

conspicuously wrong

Indicates that the error is very noticeable or stands out in an obvious way.

undoubtedly wrong

Conveys a strong sense of certainty that something is incorrect, leaving no room for doubt.

certainly wrong

Similar to 'surely wrong', indicating a high degree of confidence about the incorrectness.

surely wrong

Expresses confidence that something is incorrect, but it might allow for a small degree of doubt.

visibly wrong

Focuses on the readily observable nature of the error.

obviously inaccurate

Shifts the focus to the lack of precision or correctness of something, rather than its fundamental wrongness.

FAQs

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

You can use "obviously wrong" to describe something that is clearly incorrect or mistaken. For example, "The premise of his argument was "obviously wrong"."

What are some alternatives to "obviously wrong"?

Alternatives include phrases like "patently wrong", "distinctly wrong", or "clearly incorrect" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "obviously wrong"?

While "obviously wrong" is grammatically correct, consider your audience and the context. In some situations, a more tactful or diplomatic phrasing might be more suitable, even if something seems plainly incorrect.

What makes something "obviously wrong" rather than just wrong?

Something that is "obviously wrong" is easily recognized as incorrect by most people without needing detailed explanation. It implies that the mistake is clear and apparent. It differs from '"simply wrong"' as it carries an element of immediateness.