you are very wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'you are very wrong' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express your disagreement with someone in a strong way. For example, you can say, "You think I'm wrong, but you are very wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

PIANO -- When you are wrong in scale, you are very wrong.

The New York Times

If you think I'm going to sabotage my health and leave my children as orphans, you are very wrong".

Independent

(One of them told a group of journalists in New York recently: "If you believe that the Kremlin likes me, you are very wrong. First, I am Jewish. Second, I am rich. Third, I am independent").

The Economist

And if you thought this was a developing country problem, you are very wrong.

Huffington Post

For those saying how Brent and I will get arrested for making a straw purchase, you are not lawyers, and you are very wrong.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

You were very wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

Listening to Mr Hunt's statement, Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West, tweeted: "To all those who said Safe & Sustainable should be forced through without scrutiny, you were very wrong.

BBC

"And if you believe that same thing can't happen again, you're very wrong," Carson added.

Huffington Post

If you believe it's somebody who thinks, "Wow, this person is sociable, friendly, and seems to be enjoying themselves with the company of others," you're very wrong and should find more reasons to distrust men.

Vice

If you thought the spontaneous violence that took over Belfast last week (people got really angry at the prospect of flying the Union Jack at City Hall, remember?) was a one-off, then you were very wrong.

Vice

Dr. Abou el-Fotouh, in prison at the time, said he told his fellows in the Brotherhood, "You guys are very wrong to stop the Center Party because they have done nothing wrong.' " Now the Center Party has re-emerged as another high-profile player in post-revolutionary Egyptian politics, and other Brotherhood moderates have formed a second, newer breakaway party, Al Nahda, or The Renaissance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "you are very wrong" when directly and firmly disagreeing with a statement or action. Ensure your tone and context support such a strong assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "you are very wrong" in situations where a more nuanced or polite disagreement is appropriate. Overusing direct confrontation can damage relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you are very wrong" functions as a declarative statement expressing strong disagreement or contradiction. It serves to directly refute a previous statement or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, supporting its function as a direct and clear expression of opposition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "you are very wrong" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to express strong disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English and can be found across various sources, particularly in News & Media. However, given its directness, it's important to use it judiciously, considering the context and the potential impact on the receiver. Alternatives such as "you are completely mistaken" or "that's not correct at all" may be more appropriate in certain situations, especially in formal or professional settings. Avoid overusing this phrase to maintain constructive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you're completely mistaken

This alternative emphasizes a total misunderstanding or error.

you couldn't be more wrong

This intensifies the disagreement, suggesting a high degree of error.

that's not correct at all

This directly states the information is inaccurate without directly addressing the person.

you have it all wrong

This suggests a fundamental misunderstanding of the subject.

you're way off base

This implies the person's assumptions or understanding is significantly incorrect.

that's simply not the case

This indicates disagreement by stating the presented information is false.

you're barking up the wrong tree

This idiom suggests the person is pursuing an incorrect line of reasoning or action.

you're mistaken about that

This is a more polite way of indicating someone is wrong about a specific point.

that's an incorrect assumption

This pinpoints the error to a specific underlying belief.

the reality is quite different

This softens the disagreement by focusing on the discrepancy between perception and reality.

FAQs

How can I use "you are very wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "you are very wrong" to strongly disagree with someone's statement or belief. For example, "You think this plan will succeed, but "you are very wrong"."

What's a more polite way to say "you are very wrong"?

If you want to express disagreement more gently, try alternatives like "I don't think that's quite right" or "I beg to differ".

Is "you are very wrong" always appropriate?

No, it's not always appropriate. It's a strong statement, so use it carefully in situations where a direct and firm disagreement is necessary and won't cause undue offense. Consider alternatives like "that is incorrect" in professional contexts.

Which is more emphatic: "you are wrong" or "you are very wrong"?

"You are very wrong" is more emphatic than "you are wrong". The addition of "very" intensifies the disagreement, making it a stronger statement.