erroneously

USAGE SUMMARY

'erroneously' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an action that was incorrect or inaccurate. For example, "The decision was made erroneously, and it had unintended consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While the message usually said "OOO" ICBMs or SLBMs had been launched, some of the zeroes were erroneously filled in with a 2, e.g. 002 or 200, so the message indicated that 2, then 200 SLBMs were on their way.

The Economist

According to this theory it is the artificial lowering of interest rates and creation of excess credit by a central bank's monetary policy that causes investors to erroneously believe that economic conditions are better than they actually are, leading to an abundance of overconfidence.

The Economist

But after any long economic boom there is always the danger that people get carried away, believing erroneously that the economic cycle has been banished.

The Economist

Those assertions are plainly wrong.On poverty data you suggested, erroneously, that one methodological change introduced in the recent survey means that its results are "not comparable to the preceding ones".

The Economist

Those who insure against fire and theft can set premiums on the basis of decades of experience; financial markets are inherently less predictable.In the latest crisis, the problem was that investors erroneously believed property prices were quite predictable and built a whole edifice of derivatives on the back of the American housing market.

The Economist

But they will not have drawn all the poison of the past eight years, when many of the world's 1.4 billion Muslims came to believe, erroneously if understandably, that America was their enemy.

The Economist

It was active smoking, erroneously and foully and recklessly enjoyed when there was nothing to enjoy about it.

The Economist

NASA has grounded all shuttle flights because of safety concerns, and scientists wonder if the programme will ever get off the ground again.John Paul Stevens, a Supreme Court justice, criticised the death penalty, saying a substantial number of sentences had been "imposed erroneously".

The Economist

But if the secretary of state is right, why on earth is the vice-president fighting to keep the CIA out of the McCain ban?During Ms Rice's visit to Berlin, Angela Merkel, Germany's new chancellor, announced that the United States had "accepted" that it had "erroneously taken" a German citizen to a jail in Afghanistan.

The Economist

Many of the most expensive books are works of non-fiction, such as Redouté's illustrations of flowers, Gutenberg's Bible and the Declaration of Independence.Correction: We erroneously attributed George Washington as the author of the "The Federalist".

The Economist

But if China threatens the island-nations on its periphery, particularly Japan, America would probably respond with force, resulting in a major war.T.A. HEPPENHEIMERFountain Valley, CaliforniaColonialSIR Your map of the British Empire in 1897 December 20thh) erroneously grants independence to Canada's maritime provinces, as well as Newfoundland, which remained a British colony.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "erroneously" to clearly indicate that something was done or believed incorrectly, especially when precision is important. It adds a formal tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "erroneously" in casual or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "mistakenly" or "incorrectly" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "erroneously" is to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating that the action, quality, or manner is incorrect or mistaken. As stated by Ludwig AI, it serves to highlight that something was done wrongly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "erroneously" functions as an adverb to indicate something done or believed incorrectly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and usable word, most commonly found in news and media contexts. While effective for conveying precision, it's best reserved for formal writing and avoided in casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "incorrectly" or "mistakenly" in less formal settings. Understanding these nuances ensures accurate and appropriate use of "erroneously" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incorrectly

A direct synonym, indicating something done in a wrong or inaccurate manner.

mistakenly

Indicates an action or belief based on a misunderstanding or error.

falsely

Suggests something is untrue or based on false information.

inaccurately

Emphasizes the lack of precision or correctness in a statement or action.

wrongly

A general term for something done in error or against what is right.

by mistake

Highlights that something happened unintentionally due to an error.

in error

Formally indicates that a mistake was made.

under false pretenses

Suggests a deception or misrepresentation led to an incorrect action or belief.

based on misinformation

Specifies that the error stems from incorrect or incomplete information.

through a misunderstanding

Focuses on a lack of clear communication as the cause of the error.

FAQs

How can I use "erroneously" in a sentence?

Use "erroneously" to indicate that something was done or believed incorrectly. For example, "The document was "erroneously" filed under the wrong name", or "The witness "erroneously" identified the suspect".

What's a simpler word I can use instead of "erroneously"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative, consider using words like "incorrectly", "mistakenly", or "wrongly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "erroneously" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "erroneously" is generally too formal for casual conversation. Simpler words like "incorrectly" or "by mistake" are usually more suitable.

What is the difference between "erroneously" and "inadvertently"?

"Erroneously" implies that something is wrong or incorrect. "Inadvertently", by contrast, emphasizes that an action was unintentional. You might "erroneously" believe something because of bad data, but "inadvertently" delete a file because you clicked the wrong button.