was sorely wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

'was sorely wrong' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that someone was wrong as in, "He thought he was right, but he was sorely wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The president of the National Union of Students, Liam Burns, said Mr Miliband was "sorely wrong" if he believed students will back such a position at the next general election.

BBC

I don't know why I thought there would be people in lab coats and zen music playing, but I was sorely wrong.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Your body is screaming out that something is sorely wrong.

Huffington Post

Sex was sorely explored.

The New Yorker

Lugano was sorely missed.

The Guardian - Sport

He was sorely missed.

The Guardian - Sport

Regardless, it was sorely needed.

The New York Times - Sports

That was sorely missing tonight.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Saturday, his presence was sorely missed.

The New York Times - Sports

Hotze was sorely missed.

Wikipedia

Context was sorely lacking.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was sorely wrong" to add emphasis when correcting someone's assumption or prediction. It conveys a stronger sense of misjudgment than simply saying "was wrong".

Common error

While "sorely" can add emphasis, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your prose sound melodramatic or unnatural. Instead, vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "greatly", "badly", or "seriously".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was sorely wrong" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, emphasizing the degree to which someone's belief or assumption was incorrect. As shown by Ludwig, it adds a layer of intensity to a simple statement of error.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was sorely wrong" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to emphasize the magnitude of someone's mistake. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates a significant misjudgment or incorrect assumption. While not extremely common, this phrase finds its place in news and media contexts. When employing "was sorely wrong", be mindful of your audience and the level of formality required, to ensure that your writing retains its intended impact without sounding forced or unnatural. Consider using synonyms like "was woefully mistaken" or "was badly mistaken" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was entirely wrong

Emphasizes the completeness of the error, leaving no room for partial correctness.

was badly mistaken

A simpler and more direct way to express being significantly wrong.

was woefully mistaken

This alternative emphasizes the depth of the error, suggesting it was particularly unfortunate or regrettable.

was seriously mistaken

Indicates the mistake had notable consequences or implications.

was completely incorrect

Focuses on the factual inaccuracy of the belief or assumption.

was far from the truth

Highlights the distance between the belief and reality.

was under a false impression

Suggests the error stemmed from a misunderstanding or misinterpretation.

had miscalculated

Focuses on error during calculation.

was deluded

Implies a stronger level of self-deception or being misled.

was living a lie

The error wasn't occasional, but rather a constant state

FAQs

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

Use "was sorely wrong" to express a strong disagreement or to highlight a significant error in someone's judgment. For example, "He believed the project would be easy, but he was sorely wrong".

What phrases are similar to "was sorely wrong"?

Alternatives include "was badly mistaken", "was seriously wrong", or "was completely incorrect". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "was sorely wrong"?

While grammatically correct, "was sorely wrong" can sound somewhat formal or emphatic. Consider your audience and the context. In very casual settings, a simpler phrase like "was wrong" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "was sorely wrong" and "was sorely mistaken"?

"Was sorely wrong" generally applies to beliefs, judgments, or predictions, while "was sorely mistaken" usually refers to a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of facts. They are similar, but the context may favor one over the other.