utterly incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly incorrect" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It means something is completely wrong or incorrect. Example: The news article contained several statements that were utterly incorrect, causing confusion among readers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The other part of the rule is utterly incorrect.

The Guardian - Books

The organization, which rules in Gaza, held the assumption, which was proved to be utterly incorrect, that Israel would not launch a military operation during an election season.

The New Yorker

You are utterly incorrect about the game show question, and I hope this controversy will call some public attention to the serious national crisis in mathematical education.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

That was absolutely incorrect.

The Guardian - Sport

Absolutely incorrect.

Forbes

It's absolutely incorrect.

Vice

Australia's finance minister, Mathias Cormann, said the Australia Institute's claims were "factually incorrect" and "deeply and utterly wrong".

The Guardian

"It is utterly factually incorrect for them to mislead people into thinking I endorse any candidate in this race," he said.

The New York Times

She didn't hesitate to be utterly politically incorrect, proudly calling herself a housewife, Bill's wife and Chris' mother.

Forbes

This moronic and utterly factual incorrect assertion was a staple of right-wing discourse during Obama's first term and more or less blew up in their collective faces when the infamous Romney video -- the one about the 47percenttakersrs -- became public in the fall of 2012.

Huffington Post

That is utterly, utterly wrong".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly incorrect" to emphasize the magnitude of the error. It adds more force than simply saying "incorrect".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "utterly incorrect" can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "completely wrong" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly incorrect" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to express the degree of inaccuracy. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates something that is completely wrong. Examples show it used to describe information, assumptions, or statements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly incorrect" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English, designed to express a complete and total lack of correctness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys that something is entirely wrong. While it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, its usage extends to scientific domains. While not exceedingly common, using "utterly incorrect" adds emphasis compared to simpler terms like "incorrect", consider using less formal alternatives like "completely wrong" in casual conversation. Remember that, the context dictates its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

categorically incorrect

This alternative emphasizes a firm and absolute denial of correctness.

utterly wrong

This alternative is a more succinct way to express complete error.

completely wrong

This alternative is a more common and straightforward way to express total inaccuracy.

entirely mistaken

This alternative shifts the focus to the person making the error, highlighting their misunderstanding.

absolutely false

This alternative emphasizes the lack of truth, implying deception or misinformation.

patently untrue

This alternative indicates that the statement is obviously and demonstrably false.

demonstrably false

This alternative highlights that the incorrectness can be proven.

wholly inaccurate

This alternative uses a more formal tone to convey complete inaccuracy.

fundamentally flawed

This alternative emphasizes that the incorrectness stems from a basic defect or fault.

thoroughly unsound

This alternative emphasizes that the base is bad, weak or damaged.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly incorrect" to describe something that is completely wrong. For example, "The information provided was "utterly incorrect", leading to confusion".

What's a less formal alternative to "utterly incorrect"?

Alternatives like "completely wrong", "totally false", or "plain wrong" are less formal ways to express the same idea.

Is it always appropriate to use "utterly incorrect"?

While grammatically correct, using "utterly incorrect" might sound overly strong or formal in some situations. Consider your audience and the context to determine if a less emphatic phrase would be more suitable.

Which is more emphatic, "incorrect" or "utterly incorrect"?

"Utterly incorrect" is significantly more emphatic than simply "incorrect". The addition of "utterly" intensifies the degree of incorrectness.