plainly incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plainly incorrect" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that is undeniably wrong. For example, "It was plainly incorrect for the defendant to ignore the court summons."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

This determination is plainly incorrect.

The New York Times

We rejected this argument as "plainly incorrect," for two reasons.

Cornell University

Nothing draws eyeballs like a daringly "counterintuitive" article and it's easy to be counterintuitive if you're willing to back a plainly incorrect position.

The Economist

Its claim to represent the "unanimous consent of the estates" was plainly incorrect, since by the end of May most of the rulers had long since left Worms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While Apple strongly supports, and will continue to support, the efforts of law enforcement in pursuing criminals, the government's sweeping interpretation of the All Writs Act is plainly incorrect and provides no limit to the orders the government could obtain in the future.

TechCrunch

An analysis of these materials found information that was biased, misleading, or plainly incorrect.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

This statement was plainly wrong!

Cornell University

That was so plainly wrong.

The New York Times

One theory is plainly wrong.

The New Yorker

Plainly, this is incorrect.

The Economist

Forget everything and just be honest: Greater Africa is a country, or is at least treated as one by most of the world, no matter how politically incorrect it may be to plainly state such a thing.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly incorrect" when you want to express that something is undeniably wrong and you want to convey a sense of clear disagreement or contradiction. It's stronger than simply saying something is 'incorrect'.

Common error

While "plainly incorrect" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem overly assertive or dismissive. Consider using more nuanced language like "inaccurate" or "misleading" when addressing sensitive topics or providing constructive feedback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly incorrect" functions as an adverb-adjective combination used to describe something that is undeniably and obviously wrong. It serves to strongly assert the inaccuracy of a statement or idea. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plainly incorrect" functions as an adverb-adjective combination to express that something is undeniably wrong. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correct usage, but notes it should be employed thoughtfully to avoid being overly assertive. Found primarily in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts, the phrase serves to strongly disagree and highlight obvious errors. Alternatives such as "clearly wrong" or "patently false" can be used for variety, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly wrong

Emphasizes the lack of ambiguity in the error.

patently false

Highlights the obvious untruthfulness of a statement.

blatantly wrong

Stresses the conspicuous and often offensive nature of the error.

obviously mistaken

Focuses on the error as a result of misunderstanding or misjudgment.

undeniably flawed

Indicates a defect or weakness that cannot be disputed.

demonstrably untrue

Implies the falsehood can be proven with evidence.

categorically inaccurate

Suggests a complete and absolute lack of correctness.

simply not true

Offers a straightforward and uncomplicated way to negate a statement.

factually incorrect

Directly points to an error in factual information.

manifestly erroneous

Highlights an error that is easily perceived or recognized.

FAQs

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

You can use "plainly incorrect" to describe a statement or idea that is clearly wrong. For instance, "The assumption that all swans are white is "plainly incorrect", as there are also black swans."

What are some alternatives to saying "plainly incorrect"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "clearly wrong", "patently false", or "obviously mistaken".

Is "plainly incorrect" too strong for professional communication?

While it's a valid phrase, consider your audience and the situation. In some cases, milder terms like "somewhat inaccurate" or "not entirely correct" might be more appropriate to maintain a polite and constructive tone.

What's the difference between "incorrect" and "plainly incorrect"?

"Incorrect" simply means wrong, while "plainly incorrect" emphasizes that the error is obvious and undeniable. The addition of "plainly" amplifies the degree of error and implies that the error should be easily recognizable.