I incorrectly believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I incorrectly believed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that your previous belief was wrong or mistaken. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I realized that I incorrectly believed the project would be completed by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At City Lights, I have had the extremely rare blessing of working hand-in-hand with an editor who actually edited -- a person who was interested not in the marketability of my work (which has been largely focused on black and gay themes, and which I incorrectly believed would attract only a very small audience), but in my actual growth as a writer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It transpires that this is because the rep never converted my account into a Vitality one, so the cancellation team incorrectly believed I required 12 months' notice.

The Guardian - Money

These layers, I assumed, were meant to be representative of the layers they incorrectly believed existed within them.

Vice

Video footage shows him being beaten by an angry crowd who incorrectly believed he was an accomplice.

Independent

Many incorrectly believed that the appearance of cooked meats was an indicator of safety, and that a food thermometer was unnecessary.

Food Control

When asked to identify the correct way to diagnose pediatric delirium, 11.4% of nurses surveyed (12/105) incorrectly believed that Glasgow Coma Score is the appropriate screening tool.

Journal of Pediatric Nursing

At the time, Papadopoulos incorrectly believed that the Russian woman was a niece of Putin, according to court documents.

The Washington Post

The judges, who included Siméon-Denis Poisson, did not understand what Galois had written and (incorrectly) believed that it contained a significant error.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Inspired by the great success of conic sections in these settings, Galileo incorrectly believed that a hanging chain would take the shape of a parabola.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All this came at a time when polling showed that nearly one-fifth of Americans incorrectly believed that Obama was Muslim, up from about one-tenth a year earlier.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Phil Dorrell, a partner at consultants Retail Remedy, said Clarke incorrectly believed businesses such as Harris + Hoole would help support flagging sales at Tesco stores.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "I incorrectly believed" with a clear explanation of what you believed and, if possible, why you now know it to be incorrect.

Common error

While "I incorrectly believed" is grammatically correct, overuse in formal academic or professional writing can make your writing sound less confident. Vary your language with more assertive expressions of correction or adjustment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I incorrectly believed" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past mistaken belief. As Ludwig AI shows, it introduces a contrast between a former understanding and a current, corrected one. It acknowledges a personal error in judgment or assumption.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I incorrectly believed" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that a past belief was mistaken. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples across various contexts. While generally neutral in tone, its frequency can vary. It is most commonly found in news and media, science, and encyclopedic sources. Alternative phrases include "I was wrong to believe" and "I mistakenly assumed", each carrying slightly different nuances. When writing, ensure clear explanation of what was believed and why it's now understood to be incorrect. Overuse of this phrase in formal writing can be avoided by using more confident language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was wrong in believing

This alternative uses a more direct admission of error and implies a sense of personal responsibility.

I mistakenly assumed

This phrase emphasizes the act of making an incorrect assumption, suggesting a lack of proper information.

I erroneously thought

Using "erroneously" adds a formal tone and highlights the factual incorrectness of the belief.

I had the wrong impression

This alternative shifts the focus to having a general misunderstanding rather than a specific incorrect belief.

I was under the misapprehension that

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the state of being mistaken.

I falsely imagined

This option implies a creative but untrue belief, possibly based on imagination rather than fact.

I labored under the delusion that

This is a stronger term, suggesting a persistent and unrealistic false belief.

I was deluded into thinking

This suggests an external influence that contributed to the false belief.

I wrongly conceived

This implies a misunderstanding in the initial formation of the idea.

I fell for the misconception that

This suggests being tricked or misled into believing something false.

FAQs

How can I use "I incorrectly believed" in a sentence?

Use "I incorrectly believed" to express that something you previously thought was true turned out to be false. For example: "I incorrectly believed the meeting was on Tuesday, but it's actually on Wednesday".

What are some alternatives to saying "I incorrectly believed"?

You can use alternatives like "I was wrong to believe", "I mistakenly assumed", or "I erroneously thought" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "I incorrectly believed" or "I wrongly believed"?

Both "I incorrectly believed" and "I wrongly believed" are grammatically correct, but "incorrectly" emphasizes factual inaccuracy, while "wrongly" can also imply a moral or ethical error. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "I incorrectly believed" and "I used to think"?

"I used to think" is a more general way to express a change in belief. "I incorrectly believed" specifically highlights that the former belief was wrong, usually due to new information or a realization.