plainly mistaken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plainly mistaken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is clearly or obviously wrong about something. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it became clear that he was plainly mistaken about the facts of the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Sumner believed the president "plainly mistaken".

The New York Times

Singer thought that most of these predictions were "so plainly mistaken" that it was difficult to understand how anyone sympathetic to Marx could defend them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As he writes in Daybreak, "we are accustomed to exclude all [the] unconscious processes from the accounting and to reflect on the preparation for an act only to the extent that it is conscious" (D 129), a view which Nietzsche plainly regards as mistaken, both here and in the passage quoted above.

SEP

For instance, it was plainly a mistake to vote against the reappointment of Warren Buffett, an investment guru, to the board of Coca-Cola.

The Economist

The task of adjustment is relatively easy in cases in which both parties made a mistake or in which one party laboured under a mistaken assumption that was, or plainly should have been, known to the other.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Writing in 1886, David Dixon Porter, who had been the commander of the Mississippi River squadron, wrote that at night the signals can be so plainly read that mistakes are impossible, and a commander-in-chief can keep up a conversation with one of his vessels distant several miles, and say what is required almost as well as if he were talking to the captain in his cabin.

The New York Times

And when a diagnosis is missed – when a student proceeds directly into college coursework and fails, or when someone's cancer is detected too late – the mistake is plainly visible, and the associated regret can be acute.

The New York Times

Plainly, there'd been a mistake — not only was he an alien; he'd barely unpacked — except that there hadn't been.

The New Yorker

"Taylor was not a conversationalist"—neither was Grant—"but on paper he could put his meaning so plainly that there could be no mistaking it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He has his work cut out, but he is plainly determined not to repeat Charles Kennedy's mistakes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Garrett Jones, the Central Intelligence Agency chief in Mogadishu during the disastrous American expedition to Somalia in 1993, put it more plainly: "There are going to be screw-ups, mistakes, confusion and missteps.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly mistaken" to express a strong disagreement or to point out an obvious error in a formal and direct manner. This phrase is especially useful when the mistake has significant consequences or implications.

Common error

Avoid using "plainly mistaken" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase carries a weight of formality that can sound overly critical or pretentious in everyday contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "clearly wrong" or "obviously a mistake" to maintain a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

"Plainly mistaken" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is clearly and obviously incorrect. The Ludwig AI confirms that is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in written English. The examples show it used to express disagreement or to highlight an obvious error.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plainly mistaken" is a grammatically correct and usable adjectival phrase that expresses a strong disagreement or points out an obvious error. While not exceedingly common, as noted by Ludwig, it's found primarily in news, media, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. It serves to directly challenge a statement or belief by emphasizing the inaccuracy. For less formal situations, alternatives such as "clearly wrong" or "obviously incorrect" are recommended. The phrase is most effective when a clear and direct assessment of an error is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly wrong

Emphasizes the lack of correctness in a straightforward manner.

obviously incorrect

Highlights the evident nature of the inaccuracy.

patently false

Stresses the undeniable falsity of something.

undeniably wrong

Focuses on the impossibility of disputing the mistake.

blatantly inaccurate

Indicates a conspicuous and easily noticeable error.

manifestly erroneous

Highlights the readily apparent nature of the mistake, often in a formal context.

evidently misguided

Suggests the mistake stems from poor judgment or direction.

distinctly flawed

Focuses on the clear imperfections present.

demonstrably false

Indicates the error can be proven wrong with evidence.

unequivocally incorrect

Emphasizes that there is no doubt about the error.

FAQs

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

You can use "plainly mistaken" to express that someone is clearly wrong about something. For example, "Sumner believed the president was "plainly mistaken" about the decree" or "Singer thought that most of these predictions were "plainly mistaken".

What can I say instead of "plainly mistaken"?

You can use alternatives like "clearly wrong", "obviously incorrect", or "patently false" depending on the context.

Is "plainly mistaken" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "plainly mistaken" is suitable for formal writing as it conveys a clear and direct assessment of an error. It is especially effective when addressing significant inaccuracies or disagreements.

What is the difference between "plainly mistaken" and "simply mistaken"?

"Plainly mistaken" suggests the error is obvious and easily discernible, while "simply mistaken" implies a more straightforward, less conspicuous error. The choice depends on the degree of obviousness you wish to convey.