erroneous

USAGE SUMMARY

'erroneous' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to something being incorrect or wrong. For example, "The erroneous answer caused the student to fail the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"In the same case the deputy chair of the IPCC was summoned one early evening to see one of the three permanent secretaries of the Home Office to discuss the merits or otherwise of its decision to disclose crucial information the next day to the family of the deceased at a time when the media was awash with speculation and erroneous accounts of how Jean Charles de Menezes had died.

The Guardian

Michael Garcia resigned after his appeal against the decision to publish what he described as an "erroneous" summary of his 430-page report was rejected on Tuesday.

The Guardian - Sport

Buckingham Palace denied any suggestion the monarch is unwell after erroneous breaking news reports said she had been admitted to King Edward VII's hospital, a private facility in Marylebone, London.

The Guardian

There has also been a totally erroneous whisper campaign, backing Dimon, that JP Morgan deserves no blame for the mortgage troubles, which came primarily from stepchildren Washington Mutual and Bear Stearns.

The Guardian - Opinion

Garcia said the 42-page summary published in November by the German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert, which effectively cleared the 2018 hosts Russia and the 2022 hosts Qatar of serious wrongdoing during the chaotic bidding process, contained "numerous materially incomplete and erroneous representations of facts and conclusions".

The Guardian - Sport

The erroneous belief that open access equals "author pays" further muddies the waters.

The Guardian

It may also have been erroneous: there was now virtually no presence up front, no one to relieve the pressure.

The Guardian - Sport

"But they all appear to be based on the erroneous notion that our editorial policies preclude people commenting on contentious issues like climate change if their views are considered by others to be inaccurate," Leavitt said.

The Guardian

Amihai Mazar, professor at the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, says that myth stemmed from an erroneous claim by the former Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin, on a visit to Egypt in 1977, that Jews built the pyramids.

The Guardian

But Lynch said news reports citing the FBI inquiry as directly related to a hate-crime investigation were "erroneous", repeating that the agency was currently conducting a "preliminary, parallel enquiry".

The Guardian

Calling all dysfunctional singing families Of all the erroneous rumours I have heard of late - some of them not even involving myself - the suggestion that members of the Jackson 5 are being lined up to mentor other musical family acts seemed the most barking.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "erroneous", ensure that the context clearly indicates that the information or belief is not just incorrect, but stems from a specific error or misunderstanding. This adds precision to your writing.

Common error

While "erroneous" is a perfectly valid word, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "incorrect" or "wrong" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "erroneous" functions to qualify nouns, indicating that they contain errors or are based on incorrect information. As Ludwig AI highlights, its use is grammatically correct and frequent in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "erroneous" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective that signifies something containing an error or based on incorrect information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is widely accepted. While versatile, it trends toward formal and professional contexts, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in news media and business publications. When aiming for clarity and accuracy in your writing, "erroneous" provides a precise way to denote inaccuracies stemming from a specific error. While alternatives such as "incorrect", "inaccurate", and "mistaken" exist, "erroneous" adds a distinct emphasis on the presence of an underlying error leading to the incorrectness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incorrect

A more general term for not being correct, lacking the specific nuance of stemming from an error.

inaccurate

Focuses on a lack of precision or exactness, differing slightly from implying a fundamental error.

mistaken

Implies a judgment or perception that is wrong, often due to a misunderstanding.

false

Indicates a deviation from truth, suggesting a stronger level of wrongness than just an error.

fallacious

Specifically refers to something based on a fallacy or deceptive appearance.

flawed

Highlights the presence of imperfections or defects, leading to incorrectness.

untrue

A direct synonym for false, often used in contexts where truth is at stake.

invalid

Suggests a lack of legal or logical soundness, not merely an error of fact.

unsound

Implies weakness or instability, leading to being unreliable or incorrect.

deceptive

Highlights the intention to mislead or create a false impression, differing from unintentional error.

FAQs

How can I use "erroneous" in a sentence?

You can use "erroneous" to describe something containing an error. For example, "The report contained "erroneous" data."

What are some alternatives to "erroneous"?

Alternatives to "erroneous" include "incorrect", "inaccurate", or "mistaken", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "erroneous information" or "false information"?

"Erroneous information" suggests that the information is wrong due to an error, while "false information" implies it is intentionally untrue. The choice depends on whether the inaccuracy is accidental or deliberate. If it is accidental, "erroneous" is the most suitable choice.

What's the difference between "erroneous" and "fallacious"?

"Erroneous" describes something containing a mistake or error. "Fallacious" refers specifically to something based on a fallacy, a deceptive or misleading argument. Thus, all "fallacious" statements are "erroneous", but not all "erroneous" statements are necessarily “fallacious”.