very wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'very wrong' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to emphasize that something is extremely incorrect or unacceptable. Example 1: "Her answer to the question was very wrong and caused confusion among the students." Example 2: "The company's decision to ignore the safety regulations was very wrong and put their employees at risk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Very wrong.

BBC

That was very wrong.

Independent

Something was very wrong.

The New York Times

Something is very wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

@PaddyDuffy So Very wrong.

Independent

"At times, very wrong".

The New York Times

I'm very wrong.

Independent

They were very wrong.

The Guardian

I was very wrong.

The New York Times

You were very wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

So very wrong, yo.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very wrong" to emphasize the degree to which something is incorrect or inappropriate. It adds more impact than simply saying "wrong".

Common error

While "very wrong" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound less sophisticated. Consider alternatives like "grossly inaccurate" or "seriously flawed" /s/seriously+flawed for a more polished effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very wrong" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, emphasizing the degree to which something is incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this usage pattern, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very wrong" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that intensifies the meaning of "wrong", as verified by Ludwig AI. It's employed to express strong disagreement or highlight significant errors, predominantly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, more formal situations might warrant exploring alternatives like "grossly inaccurate" or "seriously flawed". To enhance your writing, use "very wrong" for emphasis but avoid overuse in highly formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Plain wrong

Offers a simpler, more direct way of saying that something is not correct.

Completely incorrect

Emphasizes the total lack of correctness, stronger than "very wrong".

Utterly mistaken

Highlights the error in judgment or understanding, focusing on the person's misinterpretation.

Seriously flawed

Indicates significant defects or shortcomings, applicable when something is wrong in a fundamental way.

Grossly inaccurate

Stresses the large degree of inaccuracy, suitable for factual errors.

Entirely inappropriate

Focuses on the unsuitability of something, rather than its correctness.

Far from the truth

Highlights the divergence from reality, implying a significant discrepancy.

Wide of the mark

Indicates a significant deviation from the intended target or correct answer.

Badly misguided

Suggests that the advice, decision or action, was based on wrong or inappropriate advice.

Quite off-base

Signifies that the point is completely irrelevant or wrong.

FAQs

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

"Very wrong" is used to emphasize that something is extremely incorrect. For instance, "His assumptions about the market were very wrong, leading to significant losses."

What are some alternatives to saying "very wrong"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "completely incorrect", "utterly mistaken", or "seriously flawed" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "very wrong"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Very" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "wrong", making it perfectly acceptable to use in written and spoken English.

What's the difference between "wrong" and "very wrong"?

"Very wrong" is an intensified version of "wrong". It emphasizes the magnitude of the error or inappropriateness, making it stronger than simply saying something is "wrong".