woefully accurate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "woefully accurate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or statement that is surprisingly or disturbingly true, often in a negative context. Example: "The report on climate change was woefully accurate, highlighting the dire consequences we face if we do not take action."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a play that might briefly be described," Mr. Brustein told the audience, "as 'make love not war.' " That is an accurate but woefully oversimplified description of Aristophanes' intention, but not, alas, this production's.

The New York Times

This approach is quite accurate, but woefully inappropriate when running predictions for many sequences, e.g. in studies of whole genomes.

Bioinformatics

Trump's facts were pretty accurate, for once, but they were woefully incomplete.

The New Yorker

"We now have the ability to identify and pull out accurate data". Still, the report paints a picture of a department woefully behind in using technology to help speed up emergency responses and improve efficiency by analyzing thousands of dispatch records that churn through the department's computer system each day.

Los Angeles Times

Although the law looks tolerably accurate if we consider the collision of, say, two billiard balls, or two steel spheres, it seems woefully off if we consider, say, the collision of two lumps of clay, or two scoops of ice cream.

SEP

Richard Reeves: Woefully, woefully.

University of California, Berkeley

FOUR: Woefully misjudged hubris.

Independent

They're woefully misguided.

The New York Times

That seems woefully shortsighted.

The New York Times

Education today is woefully inadequate.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This explanation is woefully sterile.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "woefully accurate" when you want to express that something is unfortunately or disturbingly true. It adds a layer of regret or dismay to the accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "woefully accurate" in situations where the accuracy is simply a matter of fact without negative implications. The word "woefully" adds a negative connotation, so ensure it's appropriate for the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "woefully accurate" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies a noun, emphasizing the unfortunate or disturbing nature of something being accurate. It adds a layer of negativity to the simple statement of accuracy.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Academia

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Encyclopedias

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "woefully accurate" combines an adverb and an adjective to convey an unfortunate or disturbing truth. While grammatically correct, its use depends on the context, as the word "woefully" adds a negative connotation. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is usable in written English, suggesting its recognition and acceptance in various forms of communication. Related phrases like "disturbingly precise" or "tragically correct" offer similar shades of meaning, emphasizing the regrettable nature of the accuracy. Using "woefully accurate" effectively involves ensuring that the situation warrants the negative implication, thus avoiding its overuse in neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disturbingly precise

Replaces "woefully" with "disturbingly" to highlight the unsettling nature of the accuracy.

tragically correct

Substitutes "woefully" with "tragically" to emphasize the unfortunate consequences of the accuracy.

painfully accurate

Replaces "woefully" with "painfully" to underline the unpleasantness of the accurate assessment.

depressingly true

Changes "woefully accurate" to "depressingly true", focusing on the disheartening aspect of the truth.

unfortunately precise

Replaces "woefully" with "unfortunately" to point out the regrettable accuracy.

sadly exact

Uses "sadly" instead of "woefully" to convey the sorrowful nature of the precision.

remarkably but regrettably accurate

Adds "remarkably but regrettably" to emphasize the surprising yet unfortunate accuracy.

unhappily correct

Substitutes "woefully" with "unhappily" to indicate the lack of joy in the correctness.

dismally precise

Replaces "woefully" with "dismally" to stress the gloomy aspect of the precision.

regrettably spot on

Changes "woefully accurate" to "regrettably spot on", emphasizing regret over the accuracy.

FAQs

How can I use "woefully accurate" in a sentence?

You can use "woefully accurate" to describe a prediction or assessment that is disturbingly true, such as: "The economist's forecast about the recession was "woefully accurate"".

What are some alternatives to "woefully accurate"?

Some alternatives include "disturbingly precise", "tragically correct", or "painfully accurate", which also convey a sense of dismay regarding the accuracy.

Is "woefully accurate" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "woefully accurate" is suitable for formal writing when you need to express a sense of regret or dismay about the accuracy of something. However, consider the context and tone to ensure it aligns with the overall message.

What's the difference between "accurate" and "woefully accurate"?

"Accurate" simply means true or correct. Adding "woefully" implies that the accuracy is unfortunate or disturbing in some way, adding a negative connotation.