utterly erroneous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly erroneous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely incorrect or false. Example: "The report was found to be utterly erroneous, leading to significant misunderstandings in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Austan Goolsbee, then the president's chief economic adviser, called them "utterly erroneous".

The New York Times

The paper was "clamoring for private ownership, and that is utterly erroneous," the memo said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

For instance, ruling elites might view an unconventional religion as fundamentally erroneous and its doctrines as utterly misguided while nonetheless endorsing the rights of its adherents to profess it free of legal penalties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The erroneous S.& P.

The New York Times

This is totally erroneous.

The Economist

Utterly ridiculous.

Independent

A: Utterly.

The New Yorker

Utterly glorious.

The Guardian - Travel

But they are also erroneous.

Independent

Utterly absurd.

The New York Times

Utterly mediocre".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "utterly erroneous", ensure the context clearly indicates a significant deviation from truth or accuracy. This phrase is best suited for situations where the error is substantial and has potential consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly erroneous" to describe minor or insignificant mistakes. The phrase carries a strong emphasis, and applying it to trivial errors can diminish its impact and appear hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly erroneous" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that intensifies the description of something as incorrect. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. The adverb "utterly" modifies the adjective "erroneous", strengthening its meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly erroneous" is a grammatically sound and emphatic way to describe something as completely incorrect. While Ludwig confirms its usability, it is relatively rare and best suited for situations where the error is significant. Common contexts include news, encyclopedias and science. When writing, be mindful of the formality the term "erroneous" brings. Alternatives like "completely incorrect" or "totally inaccurate" can offer similar meanings with varying degrees of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely incorrect

Changes the intensifier to "completely" while retaining the core meaning of being wrong.

totally inaccurate

Replaces "erroneous" with "inaccurate" and "utterly" with "totally", emphasizing a lack of precision.

wholly mistaken

Uses "wholly" instead of "utterly" and "mistaken" instead of "erroneous", focusing on the error in judgment.

entirely false

Emphasizes the falsehood of something, using "entirely" as the intensifier.

patently wrong

Indicates that something is obviously incorrect, replacing "utterly" with "patently".

demonstrably false

Highlights that something can be proven to be untrue, changing the focus slightly from error to provable falsehood.

categorically untrue

Asserts a firm denial of truth, replacing "erroneous" with "untrue".

thoroughly flawed

Indicates that something is deeply and comprehensively imperfect, changing the focus from correctness to overall quality.

absolutely unfounded

Highlights the lack of a solid basis or foundation, changing the focus to the absence of support.

unequivocally invalid

Asserts that something is definitively not valid, replacing "erroneous" with "invalid".

FAQs

How can I use "utterly erroneous" in a sentence?

Use "utterly erroneous" to describe something that is completely incorrect or false. For example, "The initial report was "utterly erroneous", leading to significant misunderstandings".

What phrases are similar to "utterly erroneous"?

You can use alternatives such as "completely incorrect", "totally inaccurate", or "wholly mistaken" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "utterly erroneous" or "completely wrong"?

"Utterly erroneous" and "completely wrong" are similar, but "utterly erroneous" is more formal and emphasizes the error's nature, while "completely wrong" is more direct and general.

What's the difference between "erroneous" and "incorrect"?

"Erroneous" implies a deviation from what is true or correct, often due to misinformation or flawed reasoning, while "incorrect" simply means not correct. "Utterly erroneous" amplifies the degree of deviation.