patently incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patently incorrect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is obviously or clearly wrong or false. Example: "The claim that the Earth is flat is patently incorrect and has been debunked by centuries of scientific evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Koonin's claim that important uncertainties are neglected is patently incorrect.

The Washington Post

Apparently it wasn't even enough that one of the federal court's judges found the test Florida applied to be "patently incorrect".

The New York Times

Dr. Ray White, a geneticist at the University of California at San Francisco, said that the disappearance of a gene for blond hair "sounds patently incorrect".

The New York Times

However, both of these interpretations are patently incorrect and are couched in misunderstandings and misconceptions (that is, inherently biased conclusions always result from false assumptions and/or incorrect data).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Mr. Dickey’s decision to do this was made long before Mr. Hopkins wrote about this event in his blog, so the implication that Mr. Hopkins pressured him to do this is patently incorrect.

Forbes

While in December the social media giant began flagging and down-ranking fake news on its platform in the U.S., following a storm of criticism regarding how it had allowed patently incorrect articles to be widely shared during the U.S. presidential elections last year.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This is patently wrong.

The Economist

The received wisdom was patently wrong.

Independent

"That's patently wrong".

Vice

Furthermore it states, "They cannot start school without proof of vaccination". This is entirely incorrect and patently false.

Los Angeles Times

Gov. Newsom and his buddies need a political foofarah to get their names in the press and there are umpteen million loyalists who will fall into line to trumpet outrage over a patently legal, ethical but still politically incorrect action.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patently incorrect" when you want to emphasize that something is not just wrong, but obviously and demonstrably so. It adds a strong sense of certainty and can be more impactful than simply saying "incorrect".

Common error

Avoid using "patently incorrect" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound overly assertive or aggressive. Reserve it for situations where the error is truly blatant and undeniable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patently incorrect" functions as an adjectival phrase that strongly qualifies a noun or statement, indicating that it is obviously and demonstrably false. Ludwig provides examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patently incorrect" is a phrase used to describe something that is obviously and demonstrably false. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase functions as an adjectival phrase to emphatically refute something and is found predominantly in news and media, but is also used in scientific and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and acceptable for use, although it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly assertive. Alternative phrases include "clearly wrong" and "obviously false". Remember to reserve the use of "patently incorrect" for situations where the inaccuracy is truly blatant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Patently untrue

Synonymous, replacing "incorrect" with "untrue".

Clearly wrong

Focuses on the lack of accuracy and obviousness of the error.

Obviously false

Highlights the untruthfulness and plainness of the statement.

Demonstrably false

Emphasizes that the error can be proven wrong.

Manifestly false

Emphasizes the evident and clear falsity.

Blatantly untrue

Stresses the obvious and offensive nature of the falsehood.

Undeniably wrong

Focuses on the irrefutable nature of the incorrectness.

Indisputably incorrect

Highlights that the incorrectness cannot be reasonably questioned.

Transparently false

Emphasizes the easily discernible nature of the falsehood.

Categorically false

Highlights that the statement is completely and unambiguously false.

FAQs

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

You can use "patently incorrect" to describe a statement or idea that is clearly and obviously wrong. For example, "The assertion that vaccines cause autism is "patently incorrect" and has been disproven by numerous studies."

What are some alternatives to "patently incorrect"?

Some alternatives to "patently incorrect" include "clearly wrong", "obviously false", and "demonstrably false". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What does "patently" mean in "patently incorrect"?

"Patently" means obviously or clearly. Therefore, "patently incorrect" means obviously or clearly incorrect.

Is there a difference between "incorrect" and "patently incorrect"?

"Incorrect" simply means wrong or inaccurate. "Patently incorrect" emphasizes that the error is obvious and easily recognizable. It adds a stronger sense of certainty and is more emphatic than just "incorrect".