but I was wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

'but I was wrong' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to acknowledge a mistake you've made, or to show that your opinion has changed on a particular topic. For example: I thought that the new policy would be beneficial for the company, but I was wrong - the negative impacts far outweigh the positives.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But I was wrong.

The New York Times - Food

But I was wrong about this woman.

The New Yorker

But I was wrong, on two counts.

The New York Times - Health

But I was wrong," Dr. Forsberg said.

The New York Times - Science

"But I was wrong," she says.

The Economist

But I was wrong, fortunately".

The New York Times - Style

"But I was wrong," he added.

The Guardian

But I was wrong about that.

The New York Times

I thought "Lost" was finally over, but I was wrong.

The New York Times - Arts

I thought I was right but I was wrong.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For a NY minute I thought CRT's were gone for good, but I was wrong…dead wrong.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but I was wrong" to create a turning point in your narrative, showing a shift in understanding or a correction of a previous misjudgment.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "but I was wrong". Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but I was wrong" serves as a conjunction phrase that functions to introduce a contrasting statement, indicating that a previous belief, expectation, or assessment was incorrect. It's a way of admitting error or acknowledging a change in understanding, as supported by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but I was wrong" is a common and grammatically sound way to acknowledge an error or a change in perspective. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples, primarily from news and media sources. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts, with more formal alternatives available for academic or professional writing. When using it, ensure variety in your sentence structure and leverage it to highlight a key turning point in your narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I stand corrected

A concise and formal way of acknowledging that someone else is right and you were wrong.

My initial assumption was incorrect

Focuses on the incorrectness of the initial belief or assumption.

I erred in my previous assessment

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal and direct admission of error.

It turns out I was incorrect

Introduces the realization of being wrong as a discovery.

I now recognize my mistake

Focuses on the present recognition of a past error.

I've come to realize I was mistaken

Emphasizes the process of realizing the mistake.

In retrospect, I see my error

Adds a reflective tone, indicating an understanding of the mistake after some time.

I was wrong all along

Highlights that the error persisted for a period of time.

I misjudged the situation

Highlights a failure to accurately assess a situation or circumstance.

I had a change of heart

Highlights a shift in feelings or opinion, implying a previous error.

FAQs

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

Use "but I was wrong" to introduce a correction or realization that contradicts a previous statement or assumption. For instance, "I thought the project would fail, "but I was wrong"; it succeeded beyond expectations."

What are some alternatives to "but I was wrong"?

Alternatives include "I "stand corrected"", "I "was mistaken"", or "My "initial assumption was incorrect"", depending on the level of formality and the specific context.

Is it okay to use "but I was wrong" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "I "erred in my previous assessment"" or "My "initial assumption was incorrect"" for academic or professional contexts. "But I was wrong" is more suited to neutral or informal writing.

What's the difference between "but I was wrong" and "however, I was wrong"?

Both phrases serve a similar purpose, but "but I was wrong" is more concise and direct. "However, I was wrong" adds a slightly more formal or emphatic tone, but the difference is minimal. Both are grammatically correct.