wholly untrue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly untrue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement or claim that is completely false or inaccurate. Example: "The allegations made against him were wholly untrue and lacked any evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

This is wholly untrue.

The New York Times

Salmond's spokesman said this was wholly untrue and claimed the former government had "misunderstood" MacAskill.

The Guardian

"They are denied on the basis that they are wholly untrue," he said.

The Guardian

"Both programmes included significant allegations about Lord McAlpine, which turned out to be wholly untrue.

The Guardian

Quite right too, bad mannered and counter-productive, if not wholly untrue, only mostly so.

The Guardian

But the information minister, Omran al-Zoubi, dismissed the rebel assertions, telling Syrian state television, "The news is wholly untrue".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

All completely untrue.

The Guardian

Totally untrue.

The New York Times

It's totally untrue".

The New York Times

That's completely untrue.

The Guardian - Money

"Completely untrue!" I thundered.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wholly untrue" to add emphasis when denying a claim or statement, particularly when you want to highlight its complete lack of factual basis.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly untrue" in casual conversation; it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "completely wrong" or "not true" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly untrue" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something as completely false. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Opinion

15%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wholly untrue" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that serves to strongly deny the truthfulness of a statement. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in English writing. While it is commonly found in news and media, and possesses a neutral to formal register, its emphatic tone makes it most suitable for contexts where a forceful denial is required. Alternatives such as "completely false" or "entirely inaccurate" may be more appropriate for less formal situations. When using "wholly untrue", ensure the claim being refuted has absolutely no basis in fact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely false

Emphasizes the absolute lack of truth, using a more common and direct term.

entirely inaccurate

Highlights the deviation from accuracy, focusing on the lack of precision.

totally unfounded

Indicates a lack of any factual basis or evidence.

utterly baseless

Stresses the complete absence of any foundation or support.

patently false

Emphasizes that the falsehood is obvious and easily apparent.

demonstrably untrue

Highlights that the untruth can be proven or shown.

categorically false

Indicates an unequivocal and absolute denial of truth.

pure fabrication

Suggests that the statement is entirely invented or made up.

a blatant lie

Emphasizes the overt and shameless nature of the falsehood.

without a shred of truth

Highlights the complete absence of any truthful element.

FAQs

How can I use "wholly untrue" in a sentence?

You can use "wholly untrue" to strongly deny an allegation. For example: "The report's claims about the company's finances are "wholly untrue"."

What are some alternatives to saying "wholly untrue"?

Alternatives include "completely false", "entirely inaccurate", or "totally unfounded". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "wholly untrue" or "completely untrue"?

"Wholly untrue" and "completely untrue" are very similar. "Wholly" can add a slightly more formal or emphatic tone, but both are grammatically correct and widely understood.

When should I use "wholly untrue" instead of "partially untrue"?

Use "wholly untrue" when the statement in question has no basis in fact whatsoever. If some parts of the statement are true, but others are false, then "partially untrue" or "misleading" would be more accurate.