clearly I was wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearly I was wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when acknowledging a mistake or error in judgment in a straightforward manner. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I must admit that clearly I was wrong about the outcome of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Clearly, I was wrong.

The Guardian

"So clearly I was wrong".

The New York Times - Sports

But clearly I was wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Clearly, I was wrong," she said.

The Guardian

3.56pm GMT Philip Klein (@philipaklein) Sebelius says she told Obama they'd be ready on Oct. 1. "Clearly, I was wrong".

The Guardian

"Clearly, I was wrong," Mr. Hashmi said, "because as a citizen of the United States, I was not Islamically allowed to give that material support to those who waged war against America".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Clearly I'm wrong about at least one of those picks.

Huffington Post

"Blunderingly, I stumbled on a solution for myself: which was to be shown clearly where I was wrong and clearly the other place in me that needed healing".

Independent

But I'm an honest person, and I can clearly say that I was wrong.

The New York Times

I was wrong, clearly.

Huffington Post

Student evaluations said things like, "I didn't pay $35,000 a year to read poetry". Clearly, I was doing something wrong.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "clearly I was wrong" when you want to make a direct and unambiguous admission of error. It signals honesty and accountability.

Common error

While directness is valued, avoid using "clearly I was wrong" excessively, especially in situations where a more nuanced or subtle acknowledgement of error is appropriate. Overuse can diminish the impact and appear insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly I was wrong" functions as an explicit admission of error. It's used to concede that a previous belief, assessment, or action was incorrect, often in light of new information or evidence. The Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clearly I was wrong" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for directly admitting a mistake. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this. While not as frequent as other common phrases, it holds its own and is found primarily in News & Media contexts with secondary usage in formal and business settings. Its straightforward nature makes it useful for transparent communication but be mindful of the context to prevent overuse. Consider alternatives, like "I was clearly mistaken", if the setting is formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was clearly mistaken

Replaces "wrong" with "mistaken", offering a slightly more formal tone.

I was obviously incorrect

Substitutes "clearly" with "obviously" and "wrong" with "incorrect", increasing the emphasis on the error.

I evidently erred

Uses "evidently" instead of "clearly" and "erred" in place of "was wrong", resulting in a more formal and concise statement.

I stand corrected

A more direct way of admitting an error, implying that new information has changed one's understanding.

My initial assessment was wrong

Focuses on the incorrectness of the initial assessment, rather than a personal failing.

I had that wrong

A more informal way of acknowledging an error, suitable for casual conversation.

I see that now I was wrong

Adds emphasis on the moment of realization regarding the mistake.

It turns out I was wrong

Highlights the revelation that one was previously mistaken.

I misjudged that situation

Shifts the focus to a misjudgment of a specific situation, implying flawed reasoning.

Upon review, I was wrong

Indicates that a reconsideration of evidence or facts led to the admission of error.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "clearly I was wrong"?

This phrase is suitable when you want to directly and unambiguously admit an error, especially when evidence or new information proves your previous assessment to be incorrect. Consider more subtle admissions in sensitive situations.

What are some alternative phrases to "clearly I was wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "I was clearly mistaken", "I was obviously incorrect", or "I evidently erred" depending on the context.

Is "clearly I was wrong" too informal for professional settings?

While generally acceptable, consider the specific context and your relationship with the audience. In some formal settings, phrases like "I was clearly mistaken" or "my initial assessment was wrong" might be more appropriate.

How can I make admitting I was wrong more effective?

Accompany the admission with an explanation of what led to the error and what steps you are taking to correct it. This shows accountability and a commitment to learning from mistakes.