perfectly wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfectly wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or idea that is completely incorrect or misguided, often in a way that highlights the irony or absurdity of the mistake. Example: "His reasoning was perfectly wrong, leading to a conclusion that made no sense at all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

That thinking is perfectly wrong, though.

The New York Times - Books

With respect to Carroll, he is perfectly wrong.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Recycling is an important sustainability strategy but recycling the wrong things makes the products perfectly wrong".

The New York Times - Arts

"But, whatever the intention, the headline was the perfectly wrong thing to say, and, in that, something of a marvel.

The New Yorker

"But, whatever the intention, the headline was the perfectly wrong thing to say, and, in that, something of a marvel.

The New Yorker

I'm unfortunately a great example of how retail investors can time things perfectly wrong as they become part of the herd.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The program closed with Hindemith's "Minimax (Repertorium fur Militarmusik)" - perfectly crafted "wrong note" music that was given an appropriately hilarious performance.

The New York Times - Arts

But for a while now I've harbored a suspicion that the things I most believe about myself are perfectly, diametrically wrong.

The New Yorker

The photo of John McCain posing with terrorists and kidnappers in Syria encapsulates, perfectly, everything wrong with the position of McCain and others that the U.S. ought to insert itself into Syria's civil war.

Huffington Post

This is how the day set up so perfectly went so wrong, as Wallace Matthews writes on ESPN.com.

The New York Times - Sports

Jonathan Sumption's views exemplify perfectly what is wrong with the way women in the legal profession are viewed by those in the highest echelons of power.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perfectly wrong" to describe situations where the error is complete and perhaps surprisingly so. It's effective when highlighting irony or a significant miscalculation.

Common error

Avoid using "perfectly wrong" as a simple synonym for "wrong". It implies a higher degree of error or a surprising level of misjudgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfectly wrong" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, where "perfectly" intensifies the adjective "wrong". Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness. This intensifier-adjective structure is commonly used to emphasize the degree of incorrectness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perfectly wrong" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to strongly emphasize a complete state of incorrectness. Its prevalence in News & Media indicates its broad applicability, and its presence in scientific and wiki contexts suggests its use in explaining and clarifying errors. While not overly formal, it's versatile enough for various communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely incorrect

Focuses on the absolute lack of correctness.

utterly mistaken

Highlights the error in judgment or understanding.

entirely inaccurate

Emphasizes the lack of precision and truth.

totally flawed

Points out the inherent defects or weaknesses.

absolutely false

Stresses the absence of truth or validity.

dead wrong

An informal way to express complete error.

categorically untrue

Highlights the firm and undeniable falsehood.

demonstrably false

Emphasizes that the statement's falsity is something which can be shown or proven.

woefully inadequate

Focuses on the unacceptability of a result.

seriously misguided

Suggests poor judgment and misdirection.

FAQs

How to use "perfectly wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "perfectly wrong" to describe an idea, calculation, or assumption that is completely incorrect. For example: "His initial assessment of the situation was "perfectly wrong", leading to several missteps."

What can I say instead of "perfectly wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "completely incorrect", "utterly mistaken", or "entirely inaccurate" depending on the specific context. Consider the nuance you wish to convey when selecting a replacement.

Is it grammatically correct to say "perfectly wrong"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The adverb "perfectly" modifies the adjective "wrong", indicating a complete or absolute state of being wrong.

What's the difference between "perfectly wrong" and "slightly wrong"?

"Perfectly wrong" implies a complete and utter error, while "slightly wrong" suggests a minor inaccuracy. The former indicates a fundamental flaw, whereas the latter suggests a small deviation from what is correct.