totally wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is completely incorrect or inaccurate. Example: "Your calculations are totally wrong; you need to double-check your work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Zuckerberg's totally wrong on anonymity being total cowardice.

The Guardian - Tech

Totally wrong.

The New Yorker

"That is totally wrong.

The New York Times

It is totally wrong.

The New York Times

"That's totally wrong.

The New Yorker

You're totally wrong".

The New York Times - Science

Totally wrong thing.

The New York Times

I was totally wrong.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They're not totally wrong.

The New Yorker

"Suppose I'm totally wrong.

The New York Times

He's utterly, totally wrong".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally wrong" to express strong disagreement or to point out a significant error. It's particularly effective when correcting misconceptions or misinterpretations.

Common error

While "totally wrong" is widely understood, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "completely incorrect" or "demonstrably false" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally wrong" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "wrong". It serves to emphasize the degree of incorrectness, indicating a complete lack of accuracy. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "totally wrong" is a grammatically sound and common way to express that something is completely incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for use in various contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic writing. While it appears frequently in news and media sources, it's essential to consider the tone and choose the most fitting expression for the specific situation. Alternatives like "completely incorrect", "utterly mistaken", and "entirely false" offer similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely incorrect

Emphasizes the lack of correctness with a more formal tone.

absolutely incorrect

Stresses the certainty of the error.

utterly mistaken

Highlights the error in understanding or perception.

entirely false

Focuses on the untruthful nature of a statement or belief.

in complete error

Focuses on the presence of a significant mistake.

patently untrue

Indicates that the falseness is obvious and easily apparent.

categorically false

Highlights that something is definitively and without exception false.

dead wrong

An informal way to say something is completely wrong.

way off base

Indicates that someone's guess or assumption is very far from the truth.

miles away from the truth

Emphasizes how distant something is from being correct.

FAQs

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

You can use "totally wrong" to express strong disagreement or to correct a misconception. For example: "Your calculations are "totally wrong"; you need to double-check your work".

What can I say instead of "totally wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "completely incorrect", "utterly mistaken", or "entirely false" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "totally wrong" or "completely wrong"?

Both "totally wrong" and "completely wrong" are correct and widely used. "Completely wrong" might be perceived as slightly more formal, but the difference is minimal.

What's the difference between "totally wrong" and "partially wrong"?

"Totally wrong" means something is entirely incorrect, while "partially wrong" suggests that only some aspects are incorrect and some are accurate. Consider the nuance when choosing which phrase to use.