woefully mistaken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "woefully mistaken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is very wrong or misinformed about a particular issue or situation. Example: "He was woefully mistaken in his belief that the project would be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Mr. Bush, however, would be woefully mistaken to perceive them as allies.

The New York Times

Mr. Papademos said that those who argued that bankruptcy would be preferable to more austerity were "woefully mistaken".

The New York Times

'Into a world of peace and trade, where the only battles fought are battles for market share.'" It's the late 1930s: Viktor is woefully mistaken.

The Guardian - Books

If Amazon thinks that selling PCs will bring profits, the company is sadly, woefully mistaken.

Forbes

John Krasinski may have thought he robbed late-night host and neighbor Jimmy Kimmel of his comeuppance in their annual prank war, but "The Office" star was woefully mistaken.

Los Angeles Times

If he or the NFL ownership group "managing" Goodell think that this is just a passing public relations storm, taped over by an "independent" investigator, they are woefully mistaken.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"But that mistake is woefully compounded when they then impose austerity rather than stand up to the banks".

The New York Times

When those markets fell, the division blew a $6 billion hole in Westinghouse's balance sheet.Besides such mistakes, the firm was also woefully mismanaged.

The Economist

As a New Yorker, you become exceedingly familiar with how it feels to make mistakes, do wrong, and fall woefully short of perfection.

Huffington Post

Under no pressure at all, Golec gave away possession cheaply, and with the defence woefully out of position, Berisha fed Thompson who made no mistake in front of goal.

The Guardian - Sport

FOUR: Woefully misjudged hubris.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "woefully mistaken" when you want to emphasize the severity of someone's misjudgment or misunderstanding. It adds a strong sense of error to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "woefully mistaken" in everyday conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly dramatic. Opt for simpler phrases like "completely wrong" or "seriously mistaken" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "woefully mistaken" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's state of being deeply in error. This usage is affirmed by Ludwig, which confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "woefully mistaken" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe a profound error or misjudgment. While it is deemed correct by Ludwig, it appears with uncommon frequency, primarily in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "sorely mistaken" and "utterly mistaken", offering similar nuances. It's advisable to use this phrase judiciously, being mindful of the context to avoid sounding overly dramatic. The analysis confirms that the phrase is effective for emphasizing the severity of a mistake in formal and neutral communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sorely mistaken

Indicates a serious error in judgment, emphasizing the negative consequences of the mistake.

painfully mistaken

Highlights the unpleasant realization of being wrong, focusing on the emotional impact.

utterly mistaken

Emphasizes the completeness of the error, suggesting no aspect was correct.

sadly mistaken

Implies a sense of regret or disappointment alongside the acknowledgment of the mistake.

completely mistaken

Indicates that the entire premise or understanding was incorrect.

grossly mistaken

Highlights the extreme nature of the mistake, suggesting a significant deviation from the truth.

woefully misguided

Focuses on the poor guidance or judgment that led to the mistake, rather than the mistake itself.

hopelessly mistaken

Indicates a lack of any possibility of being correct, emphasizing the futility of the belief.

regrettably mistaken

Conveys a sense of sorrow or disappointment about being wrong, emphasizing the negative feelings.

terribly mistaken

Emphasizes the severity of the error, focusing on the significant consequences or implications.

FAQs

What does "woefully mistaken" mean?

The phrase "woefully mistaken" means to be deeply or extremely wrong about something. It emphasizes the extent and seriousness of the error.

How to use "woefully mistaken" in a sentence?

You can use "woefully mistaken" to describe someone's incorrect belief or judgment. For example: "If he thinks he can succeed without any effort, he is "woefully mistaken"".

What can I say instead of "woefully mistaken"?

You can use alternatives like "sorely mistaken", "utterly mistaken", or "completely wrong" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "woefully mistaken" and "sadly mistaken"?

"Woefully mistaken" emphasizes the depth and extent of the error, while "sadly mistaken" focuses on the feeling of regret or disappointment associated with the error. The first is more about the degree of the mistake, and the second about the emotion.