woefully wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "woefully wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, opinion, or action that is significantly incorrect or misguided. Example: "The report was woefully wrong, leading to serious misunderstandings about the project's progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Such conclusions are woefully wrong.

The New York Times

And his choice of candidate for mayor of Rome proved woefully wrong.

The Economist

Now, however, increasing numbers of experts say that view is woefully wrong.

The New York Times

Asian companies, they argued, needed their equipment too much not to spend -- a view that turned out to be woefully wrong.

The New York Times

"I thought our explosive offense could overcome our pitching," said Hicks, who conceded that he was woefully wrong and now preaches patience.

The New York Times - Sports

But she was woefully wrong when, just a few years later, she warned, on "60 Minutes," that cities across the U.S. were likely to default, resulting in "hundreds of billions of dollars" in losses to investors.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

But this is a woefully wrong-headed recommendation.

The Guardian - Money

The suggestion that the Gipper didn't know exactly what message he was telegraphing in Neshoba County in 1980 is woefully wrong-headed.

The New York Times

Limbaugh is woefully ignorant and wrong about many things but he is not stupid.

Huffington Post

Furthermore, when you rely on the old explanations from our past, you will almost always come up woefully short and/or wrong again.

Huffington Post

It's not that my original take was so wrong, only woefully inadequate.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "woefully wrong", consider the context. It's strongest when applied to situations where the error has significant consequences or reveals a serious misunderstanding.

Common error

While "woefully wrong" is a valid and impactful phrase, overusing it in everyday conversation can make you sound overly dramatic or pretentious. Save it for situations that genuinely warrant the strong emphasis it provides.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "woefully wrong" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun or pronoun to express that something is not just incorrect, but regrettably or disastrously so. Ludwig provides examples where it describes predictions, views, or tactics that have gone awry.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "woefully wrong" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a regrettable or unfortunate error. Ludwig AI shows it is commonly found in News & Media contexts. When writing, use it to highlight situations where the incorrectness carries a significant negative impact, but be mindful of overusing it in casual settings. For alternatives, you might use "completely incorrect", "grossly inaccurate", or "utterly mistaken". Remember to consider the context and the level of emphasis you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly mistaken

Implies a complete and undeniable error in one's beliefs or assumptions.

completely incorrect

Emphasizes the total absence of correctness, focusing on factual inaccuracy.

grossly inaccurate

Highlights a significant and unacceptable level of inaccuracy, often implying negligence.

seriously erroneous

Highlights a significant error that could have serious implications or consequences.

sorely mistaken

Indicates a painful or regrettable error in judgment or understanding.

demonstrably untrue

Highlights that the statement or claim can be proven to be false.

profoundly inaccurate

Implies a deep and significant lack of correctness, often involving complex subjects.

hopelessly flawed

Focuses on the presence of unfixable problems, leading to inevitable failure or inaccuracy.

patently false

Indicates something that is obviously and undeniably untrue or incorrect.

terribly misguided

Emphasizes that the action or decision was directed poorly, leading to a wrong result.

FAQs

What does "woefully wrong" mean?

The phrase "woefully wrong" means that something is not only incorrect but also regrettable or unfortunate. It suggests a significant and disappointing deviation from what is accurate or expected.

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

You can use "woefully wrong" to describe a situation, opinion, or action that is significantly incorrect or misguided. For example, "Their predictions about the economy turned out to be "woefully wrong"."

What are some alternatives to "woefully wrong"?

Some alternatives to "woefully wrong" include "completely incorrect", "grossly inaccurate", or "utterly mistaken". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "woefully wrong" in formal or informal contexts?

The phrase "woefully wrong" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it is most impactful in situations where you want to emphasize the unfortunate or regrettable nature of the error. Consider using a more neutral alternative in very casual settings.