Do wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do wrong" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe the act of committing a mistake or behaving immorally. Example: "He knew he would do wrong if he lied to her." Alternative expressions include "act wrongly" and "make a mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Did I do wrong?

The New York Times - Magazine

Did he do wrong?

The New Yorker

"He couldn't do wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

What did I do wrong?

Yale University

What did we do wrong?

The New Yorker

"The king can do wrong".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

> I am doing wrong.

Columbia University

"That he did wrong.

The New York Times

"It does!" "Wrong".

The New Yorker

They deny doing wrong.

The Economist

What am I doing wrong?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ethical dilemmas, use "do wrong" to highlight the moral implications of an action. This emphasizes the distinction between right and wrong, making your argument clearer.

Common error

Avoid using the present continuous form "doing wrong" when a simple past or present tense is more appropriate. For example, prefer "he did wrong" over "he was doing wrong" unless describing an ongoing action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do wrong" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of committing an immoral or incorrect act. Ludwig AI confirms its use in contexts involving ethical considerations, as demonstrated in example sentences like "Did I "do wrong"?".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do wrong" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe committing an immoral or incorrect action. Ludwig AI identifies its primary function as expressing moral judgment and evaluating behavior against ethical standards. While not overly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Economist, indicating its acceptance in formal writing. Related phrases include "commit an offense" and "make a mistake", offering alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commit an offense

More formal and emphasizes the violation of a rule or law.

act immorally

Focuses specifically on actions that violate moral principles.

make a mistake

Broader and less severe, referring to any error in judgment or action.

transgress

Similar to "commit an offense" but can also imply exceeding limits.

err

A formal term for making an error or doing something incorrectly.

behave badly

A general term for acting inappropriately or wrongly.

misbehave

A less formal term for behaving badly, often used for children.

sin

A more religious or spiritual term for committing a wrong action.

trespass

Suggests a violation of boundaries or rights.

fall from grace

Implies a loss of innocence or moral standing after doing something wrong.

FAQs

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

You can use "do wrong" to express the act of committing an immoral or incorrect action. For example: "He knew he would "do wrong" if he lied." or "We must punish those who "do wrong".

What are some alternatives to "do wrong"?

Alternatives to "do wrong" include "make a mistake", "act immorally", or "commit an offense" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "doing wrong" instead of "do wrong"?

While "doing wrong" can be grammatically correct in certain continuous tense constructions, "do wrong" is generally used to express a general action or principle. For example, "It is never right to "do wrong".

What's the difference between "do wrong" and "make a mistake"?

"Do wrong" typically implies a moral or ethical violation, while "make a mistake" refers to any error, regardless of its ethical implications.