terribly wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'terribly wrong' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that is very wrong, or to describe an action or event that has had serious negative consequences. For example: "The decision to invest in that company turned out to be terribly wrong - the stock plummeted and losses were in the tens of millions of dollars."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Something had gone terribly wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

It's gone so terribly wrong".

The New Yorker

"It just went terribly wrong".

The New York Times

"I did something terribly wrong.

Independent

It goes terribly, terribly wrong.

Independent

Terribly, terribly wrong, Dr. Diehl.

The New York Times

I was wrong, terribly wrong.

Independent

Something might go terribly wrong.

The New Yorker

Something is terribly wrong here".

The New York Times

Something is terribly, terribly wrong.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then something went terribly wrong.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly wrong" to emphasize the severity of an error or misjudgment. It's stronger than simply saying something is "wrong".

Common error

Avoid using "terribly wrong" too frequently in your writing, as it can lose its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "seriously mistaken" or "gravely mistaken" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly wrong" functions as an intensifier followed by an adjective, modifying and emphasizing the degree to which something is incorrect or has deviated from an expected or desired outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "terribly wrong" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that intensifies the adjective "wrong", signifying a severe error or misjudgment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a standard English expression. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, as shown in Ludwig's examples, it serves to express disapproval, highlight errors, or underscore negative consequences. While versatile, it's best used in neutral to serious contexts. To avoid overuse, consider employing synonyms like "seriously mistaken" or "gravely mistaken".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely incorrect

Stresses the total absence of correctness.

seriously mistaken

Focuses on the state of being incorrect in one's judgment or understanding.

gravely mistaken

Emphasizes the seriousness and potential consequences of the mistake.

far from the truth

Highlights the distance between a statement or belief and reality.

a major blunder

Highlights the presence of a stupid or careless mistake.

badly flawed

Highlights the presence of significant defects or imperfections.

fundamentally unsound

Indicates that the underlying principles or foundations are flawed.

woefully inadequate

Indicates a severe lack of the necessary qualities or resources.

a gross miscalculation

Emphasizes that the incorrect result was obtained through calculation and that the calculation was off by a lot.

way off base

Indicates that the idea or concept is completely and utterly irrelevant.

FAQs

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

You can use "terribly wrong" to describe something that is very incorrect or has gone awry. For instance, "The experiment went terribly wrong, resulting in unexpected consequences."

What are some alternatives to "terribly wrong"?

Consider using alternatives such as "seriously mistaken", "gravely mistaken", or "completely incorrect" to add variety to your writing.

Is "terribly wrong" grammatically correct?

Yes, "terribly wrong" is grammatically correct. "Terribly" is an adverb modifying the adjective "wrong".

When is it appropriate to use "terribly wrong" versus "wrong"?

"Terribly wrong" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the degree to which something is incorrect or the severity of the consequences. "Wrong" is more suitable for less serious situations.