I was totally wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was totally wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when admitting a mistake or acknowledging that your previous belief or opinion was incorrect. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I realized I was totally wrong about the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Turned out, I was totally wrong".

The New York Times

I was totally wrong," he wrote in an e-mail.

The New York Times

"How happy to know that I was totally wrong".

The New York Times

Last time I told you, I was totally wrong".

The Guardian - Sport

To continue the great theme of 2017, I was totally wrong.

The New Yorker

"Somehow, he was gracious enough to forgive me when I was totally wrong," said Sweek, now a high school teacher and coach in Sonoma, Calif.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Suppose I'm totally wrong.

The New York Times

"I thought these guys were terrorists, and I discovered I am totally wrong".

The New York Times - Magazine

Update: Nope, I'm totally wrong.

TechCrunch

"Everyone on the internet who I presume is saying I'm totally wrong for that part is correct," Radcliffe continued.

Huffington Post

So I sent the film to Brendan, he read it, he loved it, we met and he said, "Paul, I love this script, but I'm totally wrong for it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow up the admission with an explanation of why you were wrong and what you have learned. This shows accountability and willingness to improve.

Common error

While "I was totally wrong" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Opt for more nuanced expressions like "I was mistaken" or "My initial assessment was incorrect" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was totally wrong" functions as a declarative statement used to express admission of error or misjudgment. It acknowledges that a previous belief, assumption, or assessment was incorrect. Ludwig examples illustrate usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

13%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was totally wrong" is a common and acceptable way to admit a mistake or misjudgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for most situations, remember to consider the formality of your writing and choose more professional alternatives when appropriate. When used, back up your statement by providing context on what you thought initially, what changed your mind, and what did you learn. While the phrase is acceptable, overuse can be avoided by incorporating the more subtle suggestions provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was completely mistaken

Replaces "totally wrong" with a more formal "completely mistaken", emphasizing the error.

I was entirely incorrect

Substitutes "totally wrong" with "entirely incorrect", presenting a slightly more formal tone.

I stand corrected

Offers a concise and formal way to acknowledge an error.

I had that wrong

Provides a more casual and straightforward admission of error.

My assessment was incorrect

Replaces the personal pronoun to third person to make it more formal.

I misjudged the situation

Focuses on the act of misjudgment, highlighting the flawed assessment.

I was off the mark

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate being incorrect in one's assessment.

I got it wrong

Offers a simple and direct way to admit an error.

I was under a misapprehension

Emphasizes that the error stemmed from a misunderstanding or incorrect assumption.

I erred in my judgment

Uses "erred" to give a more formal and reflective tone, indicating a mistake in decision-making.

FAQs

How can I use "I was totally wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "I was totally wrong" to directly admit a mistake or misjudgment. For example, "I thought the project would fail, but "I was totally wrong"; it was a great success."

What can I say instead of "I was totally wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "I was completely mistaken", "I was entirely incorrect", or "I stand corrected" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "I was totally wrong" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "I was totally wrong" is less formal. Consider using more professional alternatives like "I was mistaken" or "my initial assessment was incorrect" in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "I was totally wrong" and "I was partially wrong"?

"I was totally wrong" indicates a complete misjudgment, whereas "I was partially wrong" suggests that some aspects of your initial assessment were correct.