an incorrect position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an incorrect position" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a viewpoint, stance, or argument that is not accurate or valid. Example: "The committee concluded that the proposal was based on an incorrect position regarding the budget allocation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Specifically, the young technician who spotted the Japanese vessel could be called to explain why he did not alert Commander Waddle, why he plotted an incorrect position for the Japanese vessel and why he did not speak up when he felt that the presence of civilians prevented him from doing part of his job.

The New York Times

Raikkonen later received a two-place grid penalty for starting in an incorrect position in the pitlane, along with Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo.

BBC

Thus, in cases where the tip of the screw is broken, the algorithm returns an incorrect position.

BioMed Research International

Indeed, one of the distorted markers was mapped at an incorrect position when considering physical positions of markers (inversion with an adjacent marker).

BMC Genomics

However, we found that wave 1 cells could either be in a correct position (i.e., deep within the ICM) or in an incorrect position (i.e., at the surface) in relation to their future fate.

Cell Reports

For three of the remaining seven interactions, the SD sequence could either not be located (GcvB- STM4351) or was located at an incorrect position (MicF- ompF and OxyS- fhlA).

Bioinformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"I say body tuning," he said over borscht and pelmeni dumplings, washed down with glasses of tea sweetened with currant jam, "because the body goes out of tune if it is forced to perform in an mechanically incorrect position".

The New York Times

Nothing draws eyeballs like a daringly "counterintuitive" article and it's easy to be counterintuitive if you're willing to back a plainly incorrect position.

The Economist

Equinovarus foot is a known result of incorrect position while immobilizing a leg and problem with leaving leg short [21].

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

He said: "This is a manifestly irresponsible and incorrect position to take".

BBC

The second central catheter on the left is in the regular position Open image in new window Fig. 6 Angiographic intervention for correcting the incorrect position of a central catheter in a 74-year-old male patient.

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical object's location, specify what reference point is being used to determine that the position is "an incorrect position". For example, "The shelf was installed in an incorrect position relative to the blueprint."

Common error

Ensure that the context clarifies why the position is "an incorrect position". Without sufficient context, the statement can be ambiguous. Specify the intended or correct position for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an incorrect position" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object. It identifies a state of being misplaced or misaligned, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples concerning catheter placement or screw fitting.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an incorrect position" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe something that is misplaced or misaligned. Ludwig indicates that while not extremely common, the phrase is used in both scientific and journalistic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the intended or correct position to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "a wrong placement" or "a mistaken location" can be used to convey similar meanings. Ultimately, understanding the function and purpose, as showcased by Ludwig's examples, will lead to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wrong placement

Changes the focus to the physical act of placing something incorrectly.

a mistaken location

Emphasizes the error in identifying the correct location.

an inaccurate spot

Replaces "position" with a synonym that implies a lack of precision.

a faulty alignment

Focuses on the misalignment or lack of proper arrangement.

an off-target location

Highlights the deviation from the intended target or location.

a displaced situation

Suggests that something has been moved out of its correct place.

an erroneous spot

Substitutes "incorrect" with "erroneous" to emphasize the mistake.

an improper positioning

Uses the noun form of "position" and replaces "incorrect" with "improper" to suggest a lack of suitability or correctness.

a miscalculated point

Emphasizes the miscalculation that led to the incorrect position.

a skewed arrangement

Focuses on the distorted or unbalanced arrangement of something.

FAQs

How can I use "an incorrect position" in a sentence?

You can use "an incorrect position" to describe something that is not in its proper or intended place. For example, "The doctor identified "an incorrect position" of the patient's spine on the x-ray".

What are some alternatives to saying "an incorrect position"?

Some alternatives to "an incorrect position" include "a wrong placement", "a mistaken location", or "an inaccurate spot", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "incorrect position" or "wrong position"?

Both "incorrect position" and "wrong position" are acceptable, but "incorrect position" is generally considered more formal. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What does it mean when something is described as being in "an incorrect position"?

When something is described as being in "an incorrect position", it means that it is not located where it should be, potentially causing issues or requiring correction.