I incorrectly assumed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I incorrectly assumed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when acknowledging a mistake in your assumptions or beliefs about a situation. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I realized that I incorrectly assumed the project would be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the hierarchy of bereavements, since our son had died of cancer, I incorrectly assumed that TAPS did not apply to me.

Los Angeles Times

We didn't use a condom and I incorrectly assumed, because I had asked if he was safe, that he was HIV negative.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I'm a 90s kid," begins Empress Stah, which I incorrectly assume will lead to a discussion about Sonic The Hedgehog and Dawson's Creek.

The Guardian

Sometimes when something is so familiar to me, I incorrectly assume it is familiar to others.

Huffington Post

As an Oxford and Cambridge don and the writer of the most famous of Christian allegories, I'd incorrectly assumed Lewis to be stern and didactical.

Independent

I had incorrectly assumed people would be pretty casual about the whole event and wouldn't bother to ironically (or unironically) dress to the nines.

Vice

"My answer was, 'I already hate bureaucrats.' " He said many people incorrectly assumed he was fighting Telmex, but noted that Mr. Slim was doing what anyone would have done given that amount of power.

The New York Times

We had incorrectly assumed that people would just use laptops and cell phones.

Stanford University

So different fragments of the same message might be incorrectly assumed to represent different messages.

The New York Times

He incorrectly assumed that this would not result in huge costs.

The New Yorker

Acme-Cleveland incorrectly assumed Mitsubishi's ambitions were limited to Asia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I incorrectly assumed", clearly state what your initial assumption was and then provide the correct information or understanding. This clarifies the error and prevents confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "I incorrectly assumed" without specifying what you assumed. This makes the statement unclear and less helpful to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I incorrectly assumed" functions as a statement of personal admission of error. It indicates that the speaker or writer held a belief or expectation that turned out to be wrong. Ludwig provides real-world examples of this use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I incorrectly assumed" is a phrase used to acknowledge a past error in judgment or understanding. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and is often employed to clarify a previous misconception. While "I incorrectly assumed" is most frequently found in news and media contexts, it is also appropriate for academic and professional communication. Remember to clearly specify the initial assumption for clarity. Alternatives like "I wrongly presumed" or "I mistakenly believed" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I wrongly presumed

Replaces "assumed" with "presumed", suggesting a slightly stronger level of belief before the error.

I mistakenly believed

Uses "believed" instead of "assumed", highlighting the conviction behind the incorrect thought.

I was under the false impression

Emphasizes the incorrectness of the initial understanding, using a more formal tone.

I was wrong to think

Directly acknowledges the error in thinking, using simpler language.

I had the wrong idea

Focuses on the flawed concept itself, rather than the act of assuming.

I jumped to the wrong conclusion

Highlights the hasty nature of the incorrect assumption.

I erroneously thought

Replaces "incorrectly" with "erroneously", adding a touch of formality.

I had a misconception

Focuses on the existence of a flawed understanding, rather than the act of assuming.

I was operating under a false assumption

Emphasizes the ongoing influence of the incorrect assumption on actions or decisions.

I miscalculated

This alternative implies a wrong result due to an inaccurate assessment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I incorrectly assumed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "I wrongly presumed", "I was under the false impression", or "I erroneously thought".

Is it always necessary to use "I" before "incorrectly assumed"?

While using "I" makes the statement personal, you can rephrase it to be more general, such as "It was incorrectly assumed that..." if the focus is not on your personal error but a general misunderstanding.

What's the difference between "I incorrectly assumed" and "I assumed incorrectly"?

The meaning is essentially the same, but "I incorrectly assumed" is slightly more common and emphasizes the error in the assumption itself, whereas "I assumed incorrectly" focuses on the incorrectness of the act of assuming.

What are some synonyms for "incorrectly" in the phrase "I incorrectly assumed"?

Alternatives include "wrongly", "mistakenly", "erroneously", or "falsely". For example, "I wrongly presumed" or "I mistakenly believed".