I was given incorrect information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was given incorrect information" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that the information you received was not accurate or true. Example: "After reviewing the details, I realized that I was given incorrect information about the meeting time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"How could it be my fault when I was given incorrect information?

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

V: same as phase I but the patient was given incorrect information (he/she was told that the mobile phone was switched off).

The Journal of Headache and Pain

She said that Ms. Deck was given incorrect information by that employee at the Detroit airport.

The New York Times

McClellan is sore that he was given incorrect information by White House staff, including the president, and misled the press.

The Guardian

They found that in some cases, a third party used to verify orders was given incorrect information by the Verizon representative or entered wrong information into its databases.

The New York Times

VI: same as phase II but the patient was given incorrect information (he was told that the mobile phone was on).

The Journal of Headache and Pain

"Unfortunately, she was given incorrect information initially, which indicated that that statement was made; however, that statement never was made.

Los Angeles Times

"Unfortunately, she was given incorrect information initially, which indicated that that statement was made; however, that statement never was made.

Los Angeles Times

A spokesman for Abadi subsequently told the Associated Press Carter had been given "incorrect information", and said: "We should not judge the whole army based on one incident".

The Guardian

(It subsequently turned out that we had been given incorrect information about this "sale" and were not actually entitled to the tickets, but Delta honored the offer).

The New York Times - Travel

Almost a fifth of claimants reported they were given incorrect information when they called universal credit staff, while a similar proportion felt staff "did not understand their circumstances".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was given incorrect information", clearly state the source of the information if possible to provide context and accountability.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice (like "I was given incorrect information") can make your writing sound weak. Consider using the active voice to be more direct: "They gave me incorrect information."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was given incorrect information" functions as a statement of fact, indicating that the speaker received inaccurate or false data. As supported by Ludwig, it is a standard English construction expressing receipt of flawed information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was given incorrect information" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express that one has received inaccurate data. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly correct and usable in written English. While it's often employed in neutral contexts such as news reports and general discussions, it's also suitable for formal and scientific writing. When using this phrase, it's helpful to specify the source of the information to provide clarity. Alternatives include "I was misinformed" and "I received wrong data", which offer slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was misinformed

Highlights the state of being incorrectly informed, a more concise alternative.

I was given misleading information

Emphasizes the intent to mislead, whether deliberate or not.

I received inaccurate details

Specifies that the details provided were not accurate.

I was presented with false facts

Highlights the presentation of incorrect facts.

I received wrong data

Focuses on the data itself being incorrect, rather than the act of giving.

I was led to believe something false

Emphasizes the deception or misleading aspect of the situation.

I was provided with flawed data

Highlights the defectiveness of the data provided.

I operated on false premises

Focuses on the action performed based on the incorrect information.

I understood it incorrectly

Shifts the focus to the misunderstanding rather than the source of misinformation.

I got the wrong end of the stick

An idiomatic expression indicating a misunderstanding, less formal.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I was given incorrect information"?

You can use alternatives like "I was misinformed", "I received wrong data", or "I was given misleading information depending on the context.

Is "I was given incorrect information" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I was given incorrect information" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to indicate that the subject (I) received incorrect information from an unspecified source.

What's the difference between "I was given incorrect information" and "I received incorrect information"?

While both phrases are similar, "I was given incorrect information" implies that someone provided the information, whereas "I received incorrect information" simply states that you obtained the incorrect information, without specifying the source.

How to use "I was given incorrect information" in a sentence?

You can use "I was given incorrect information" to explain why you made a mistake or acted on false pretenses. For example: "I made the wrong decision because I was given incorrect information about the project deadline."