seriously wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "seriously wrong" is correct and suitable for use in written English.
You can use this phrase to mean something is wrong in an extreme way, or that a mistake has been made and it has serious consequences. For example, "When the wrong medication was administered, it was seriously wrong and could have had deadly consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He awoke to its seriousness and admitted that something had gone seriously wrong.

The New York Times

Something is seriously wrong.

The New Yorker

Something was seriously wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

Nothing was seriously wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

There was something seriously wrong.

The New Yorker

"There's definitely something seriously wrong.

The New York Times

Nothing went seriously wrong here.

The New York Times - Arts

Is there something seriously wrong?

The New York Times - Sports

Something is going seriously wrong.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Perhaps something was seriously wrong.

The New Yorker

Sometimes he got things seriously wrong.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seriously wrong", ensure the context clearly indicates the severity or potential consequences of the error or problem. This emphasizes the magnitude of the issue and its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "seriously wrong" to describe minor inconveniences or insignificant mistakes. The phrase should be reserved for situations where the error has significant consequences or implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seriously wrong" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying an adjective. It serves to emphasize the degree or extent to which something is incorrect or flawed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Sport

8%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seriously wrong" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression employed to emphasize the severity of an error or problem. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its prevalence across diverse sources, including news media, academic texts, and lifestyle publications. The phrase is most effectively used to underscore significant issues requiring attention, though it is important to avoid overuse in trivial situations. Related phrases such as ""seriously flawed"" and "seriously amiss" offer alternative ways to convey a similar meaning with slight variations in tone and context. Therefore, while versatile, it's best deployed when the situation warrants a strong emphasis on the degree of error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriously amiss

Implies that something is not as it should be and that there are problems that require attention.

fundamentally incorrect

Indicates that the error lies in the basic principles or foundations.

seriously flawed

Highlights the presence of significant defects or weaknesses that undermine the integrity or effectiveness of something.

deeply flawed

Similar to 'seriously flawed' but implies more fundamental and intrinsic issues.

badly mistaken

Suggests a notable error in assessment or decision-making.

seriously defective

Highlights a critical fault or imperfection that hinders proper function.

terribly mistaken

Indicates a significant error, emphasizing the degree of the misjudgment.

gravely mistaken

Emphasizes the depth and severity of the error in judgment or understanding.

majorly wrong

Emphasizes the magnitude of the error or mistake.

way off base

Informal way of saying that someone's assessment or understanding is completely wrong.

FAQs

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

You can use "seriously wrong" to describe situations where something has gone badly awry or contains significant errors. For example, "If the data is "seriously flawed", the conclusions drawn from it will be unreliable."

What are some alternatives to saying "seriously wrong"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "gravely mistaken", ""seriously flawed"", or "seriously amiss".

When is it appropriate to use "seriously wrong"?

It is appropriate to use "seriously wrong" when you want to emphasize the significant and potentially harmful nature of an error or problem. It's best reserved for situations with notable consequences.

Is "seriously wrong" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "seriously wrong" is considered relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is important that the context justifies the intensity of the expression.