was entirely wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was entirely wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something was completely incorrect or mistaken in a past context. Example: "The conclusion drawn from the data was entirely wrong, leading to significant misunderstandings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Not that Gus was entirely wrong.

The New York Times - Health

We know now that this approach was entirely wrong.

MIT Technology Review

Walter now says that she was "entirely wrong".

The Guardian - Books

I am ready to admit that I was entirely wrong".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

George, as he was in all but one famous episode, was entirely wrong.

The New Yorker

But the source said it was entirely wrong to say at this stage that no more windfarms will be built.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney said on Sunday that the Obama administration's approach to Iran was "entirely wrong-headed" and made the case that the contested results of that country's elections proved that the president's policy of apologizing for America was "not working".

Huffington Post

This is entirely wrong.

Britannica

That's entirely wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

They were entirely wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

That would be entirely wrong".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was entirely wrong", ensure the context clearly identifies what specific statement or belief is being refuted. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was entirely wrong" for minor discrepancies or subjective opinions. Reserve it for situations where a clear factual error or significant misjudgment has occurred to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was entirely wrong" functions as a declarative statement. It asserts that a previous claim, assumption, or action was completely incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is both correct and common.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was entirely wrong" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something was completely incorrect or mistaken. Ludwig confirms that it is widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as academic discussions. When using the phrase, it's beneficial to clearly specify the subject being refuted and to avoid overusing it in trivial situations. Alternatives like ""was completely mistaken"" or ""was absolutely incorrect"" can offer subtle differences in meaning depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was completely mistaken

Emphasizes the error as a misunderstanding or misjudgment.

was absolutely incorrect

Highlights the factual inaccuracy of a statement or belief.

was wholly inaccurate

Focuses on the lack of precision and truthfulness.

was dead wrong

An informal way of expressing a strong degree of incorrectness.

was far from the truth

Suggests a significant deviation from reality.

was a gross misjudgment

Highlights the error as a serious lapse in judgment.

proved to be false

Focuses on how the statement's falsity was demonstrated.

turned out to be untrue

Emphasizes the eventual discovery of the statement's falseness.

couldn't have been more wrong

Expresses the extreme degree of incorrectness.

was in complete error

Highlights the overall state of being incorrect.

FAQs

How can I use "was entirely wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "was entirely wrong" to express that something was completely incorrect. For example: "His prediction about the company's success "was entirely wrong"."

What phrases are similar to "was entirely wrong"?

Alternatives include "was completely mistaken", "was absolutely incorrect", or "was wholly inaccurate", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "was entirely wrong" or "was completely wrong"?

Both "was entirely wrong" and "was completely wrong" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference, although "entirely" might suggest a more formal tone.

Can I use "was entirely wrong" for opinions or only for facts?

While often used for factual inaccuracies, "was entirely wrong" can also be used to strongly disagree with an opinion, implying that the opinion is based on flawed reasoning or incorrect assumptions.