established that we were incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "established that we were incorrect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation where a conclusion or belief has been proven wrong after investigation or analysis. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, the committee established that we were incorrect in our initial assessment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are incorrect.

Huffington Post

Here, by combining psychophysics with histology, we show that this established notion is incorrect.

Current Biology

Any suggestion that we were complicit in transferring user data to any third party is incorrect.

TechCrunch

"We went back and found that the monkey data were incorrect," he said.

The New York Times - Health

Now we know, though, that story was incorrect in 1971 (and is clearly incorrect today).

Forbes

"We regret that we published a number that in retrospect was incorrect," Dr. Snider said.

The New York Times - Health

Actually, that's incorrect: we don't hear anything untoward.

The New Yorker

"We found that with about 5,000 accounts there were incorrect balances, incorrect addresses," she said.

The New York Times

That perception is incorrect.

The New York Times

That statistic is incorrect.

The Washington Post

NIELSEN: That actually is incorrect.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly indicates what the "we" refers to and what specific point was proven incorrect. Clarity is crucial when acknowledging a mistake.

Common error

While "established that we were incorrect" is grammatically correct, simpler and more direct alternatives like "we were wrong" or "we made a mistake" often communicate the same meaning more effectively. Consider your audience and the desired level of formality when choosing between these options.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "established that we were incorrect" functions as a declaration that a past assertion or belief held by a group (we) has been proven false. Despite Ludwig suggesting that this phrase is acceptable, the usage of this phrase remains subject to context.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "established that we were incorrect" is grammatically correct and usable for formally acknowledging a confirmed mistake. While Ludwig considers it acceptable, it is not frequently used. More direct alternatives often serve better. Its appropriateness depends heavily on the context. Use simpler phrasing where applicable for clarity. It functions to officially declare the falsity of a past assertion, ensuring accountability. Despite being grammatically valid and appearing in reliable sources, its formality may render it less suitable than simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Confirmed our mistake

Replaces "established that we were incorrect" with a more concise and direct statement of error.

Proved us wrong

Uses a more active voice and simpler vocabulary to indicate being disproven.

Demonstrated our error

Emphasizes the act of showing or proving the error.

Verified our inaccuracy

Highlights the confirmation of something being not accurate.

Ascertained our fault

Formally acknowledges the responsibility for the mistake.

Determined we were in error

States a formal conclusion of being wrong.

Showed we were mistaken

Replaces "incorrect" with "mistaken", offering a softer connotation.

Validated our misjudgment

Focuses on confirming an error in judgment.

Revealed our lapse

Highlights the uncovering of a mistake or oversight.

Conclusively disproved our position

Strongly asserts that the original position has been definitively shown to be wrong.

FAQs

How can I use "established that we were incorrect" in a sentence?

This phrase indicates that a mistake has been confirmed through investigation. For example, "After reviewing the data, the team established that we were incorrect in our initial calculations."

What are some alternatives to "established that we were incorrect"?

You can use alternatives like "confirmed our mistake", "proved us wrong", or "we were mistaken" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "established that we were incorrect"?

Use this phrase in formal contexts where you need to clearly and definitively acknowledge a mistake that has been proven. Simpler phrases may be more suitable for informal settings.

Is "established that we were incorrect" the same as "realized we were wrong"?

"Established that we were incorrect" implies a formal confirmation of an error through investigation, while "realized we were wrong" suggests a personal acknowledgement of a mistake. The former carries more weight and authority.