thoroughly mistaken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly mistaken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is completely wrong about a particular belief or idea. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it became clear that he was thoroughly mistaken about the outcome of the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She says the court is thoroughly mistaken, and that the person who had her charged ought to be charged instead.The ECCC has already secured convictions against three of the prominent Khmer Rouge figures who came before it.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In it, Arnauld presents his own position on the nature of ideas, which was described above, and argues that Malebranche's view that we see all things (or at least all bodily things) in God and by means of God's ideas is not only mistaken, but thoroughly confused and wrong-headed.

SEP

Mr. Pataki said yesterday that the committee would work to find the causes of this mistaken conviction and of others in New York, and would make proposals to use forensic DNA more thoroughly in future investigations.

The New York Times

If I am not mistaken, part of the Yankees' charter, registered with Major League Baseball, guarantees that the Yankees will spend money, stockpile talent and thoroughly grind the rest of baseball into the pavement.

The New York Times - Sports

I think this is a classic case of digital dualism: the mistaken idea that our lives are divided into a phoney online experience and an authentic offline world, when both are thoroughly enmeshed.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a preamble to their statement of purpose, the committees said they would look thoroughly into the mistakes and lapses before Sept. 11 and far beyond -- in memory of the victims of the attacks.

The New York Times

Erase any mistakes thoroughly so they don't show up.

WikiHow

Music journalist Mark Coleman, writing in The Rolling Stone Album Guide, said that the album was "so coherent and smooth that you could mistake it for a suite if it wasn't also so thoroughly down and dirty".

Wikipedia

As they bump, grind and thoroughly enjoy themselves among their adoring crowd ("Ladies from the easties and from the westies / Trying to molest these beautiful testes"), no one will mistake them for failures.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And, although he is a supporter of the euro and of European integration, he describes thoroughly the hugely expensive mistakes made by Europe's leaders.The biggest error was to misunderstand the underlying causes of the crisis.

The Economist

He's certainly a tool, his fumbling mistakes and misrepresentations thoroughly mucking up his committee's investigation, probably beyond redemption.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thoroughly mistaken" to convey a strong sense of disagreement or to emphasize the extent of someone's error. Ensure the context supports such a firm assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "thoroughly mistaken" excessively, as it can sound overly critical or condescending. Opt for milder alternatives like "misinformed" or "incorrect" in less contentious situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly mistaken" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a high degree of error or misunderstanding. Ludwig indicates that it is a valid and usable English expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thoroughly mistaken" is a valid and usable English phrase that functions as a descriptive adjective. Ludwig confirms its correctness and indicates its use in expressing a strong disagreement or highlighting a significant error. While the phrase appears across various contexts, like in news, its register is generally neutral to formal, and caution should be exercised to avoid overuse to not sound overly critical. Consider alternative phrases, such as "completely wrong" or "utterly incorrect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely wrong

Implies a total absence of correctness.

utterly incorrect

Emphasizes the complete lack of accuracy.

entirely erroneous

Highlights the presence of error throughout.

totally misguided

Focuses on the misdirection of thought or action.

dead wrong

An informal expression indicating absolute incorrectness.

patently false

Suggests that the incorrectness is obvious and easily detected.

grossly inaccurate

Indicates a significant level of inaccuracy.

seriously flawed

Points to fundamental problems leading to incorrectness.

fundamentally unsound

Suggests the base assumptions or principles are flawed.

wide of the mark

Implies a significant deviation from the correct or intended target.

FAQs

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

You can use "thoroughly mistaken" to express strong disagreement, like: "She is "thoroughly mistaken" about the facts of the case."

What's the difference between "thoroughly mistaken" and "slightly mistaken"?

"Thoroughly mistaken" implies a complete misunderstanding, while "slightly mistaken" suggests a minor error. "Thoroughly mistaken" conveys a much stronger sense of disagreement.

What can I say instead of "thoroughly mistaken"?

Alternatives include "completely wrong", "utterly incorrect", or "entirely erroneous", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "thoroughly mistaken" in formal writing?

Yes, "thoroughly mistaken" can be used in formal writing, but consider the tone and audience. If a less confrontational approach is needed, consider alternatives like "incorrect" or "inaccurate".