plainly wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

"plainly wrong" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is clearly or obviously incorrect or incorrect in a straightforward and clear manner. For example: - "The teacher pointed out that the student's answer was plainly wrong and needed to be corrected." - "His explanation for why the project failed was plainly wrong, as it overlooked key factors." - "It was plainly wrong for her to lie to her parents about her whereabouts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That was so plainly wrong.

The New York Times

One theory is plainly wrong.

The New Yorker

"Lord Mandelson is just plainly wrong," she told the BBC.

The Guardian - Money

But what she said was plainly wrong and divisive".

The New York Times

That is plainly wrong as our record shows.

The Guardian

Nabeela Shah Ahmaddiya Muslim Women's Association Your editorial is plainly wrong.

The Guardian

It was plainly wrong, but there was nothing that smacked of grotesque personal enrichment.

The New York Times

It would be both plainly wrong and an occasion for some communal introspection.

The New Yorker

It is plainly wrong that the payments were made at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Skossyrev is plainly wrong in his assertion that Chinese are always obedient.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Assessments carried out by Atos have led to many people being forced to appeal against decisions that are plainly wrong.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly wrong" to directly and clearly state that something is incorrect, avoiding ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "That might not be right," say "That's plainly wrong."

Common error

While effective, "plainly wrong" can sound dismissive in formal settings. Opt for alternatives like "demonstrably inaccurate" or "clearly mistaken" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "plainly wrong" is to act as an adverbial modifier enhancing the adjective "wrong". It indicates the degree or manner in which something is incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms its usability as a descriptor of clear errors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plainly wrong" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express that something is obviously incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable expression for describing clear errors. While frequently found in news and media, its directness may make it less suitable for formal contexts. Alternatives like "obviously incorrect" or "clearly mistaken" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. It's important to consider the context and audience when using "plainly wrong" to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obviously incorrect

Emphasizes the lack of correctness in an evident manner.

clearly mistaken

Highlights the error in understanding or perception.

patently false

Focuses on the lack of truth or accuracy.

blatantly erroneous

Stresses the obvious and undeniable nature of the mistake.

distinctly inaccurate

Indicates a clear lack of accuracy or precision.

demonstrably untrue

Highlights that the statement can be proven to be not true.

unquestionably flawed

Indicates an indisputable imperfection or defect.

decidedly incorrect

Emphasizes the firm and definite nature of the error.

unmistakably false

Highlights the impossibility of mistaking the statement as true.

indisputably wrong

Indicates the error cannot be argued against or debated.

FAQs

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

You can use "plainly wrong" to express that something is obviously incorrect. For example, "The assertion that all swans are white is "plainly wrong", as black swans exist in Australia."

What can I say instead of "plainly wrong"?

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

Is it better to say "plainly wrong" or "incorrect"?

"Plainly wrong" is stronger and more direct than simply saying "incorrect". It emphasizes that the error is obvious and undeniable. Use "incorrect" when a more neutral tone is appropriate.

What's the difference between "plainly wrong" and "mistaken"?

"Mistaken" suggests an honest error, while ""plainly wrong"" implies that the error should have been obvious or easily avoided. Therefore, "plainly wrong" carries a stronger connotation of negligence or deliberate falsehood.