found to be wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found to be wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that has been determined to be incorrect or erroneous after investigation or analysis. Example: "The initial hypothesis was found to be wrong after further testing revealed different results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Wilkie's office queried the department and the debt was found to be wrong.

The Guardian

However, his reconstruction, based on evidence from another long-necked dinosaur, Camarasaurus, was later found to be wrong.

Independent

Nothing was found to be wrong with him but fatigue, and he was ordered to take a three-month vacation.

The New Yorker

Then in Jan., 1953 Linus Pauling, working at Caltech, put out a paper on the structure of DNA, but it was found to be wrong.

The New Yorker

Similarly, at the University of Rome, one of her answers to a problem was found to be wrong, until the experts re-examined their own calculations.

The New York Times

Whenever I have been stopped, I have never subsequently been charged with anything, and nothing has ever been found to be wrong with my car.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

She had the sort of politics that I, as a social democrat, obviously find to be wrong, but that are still in effect today". The German foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, said she "leaves behind a big legacy for European history.

The Guardian

Do not accept views that you find to be wrong and therefore probably unacceptable, and so do not "give something important to get things that are less important".

WikiHow

It does create quite a noise, after all, when medical recommendations affecting hundreds of millions of people are found to be incontrovertibly wrong.

HuffPost

Adolescents were found to be on the wrong side of the road more than any other riders.

The New York Times

One positive change, he said, is that in "incredibly rare instances" when officers are found to be in the wrong, they now are disciplined more forcefully.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "found to be wrong", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the determination and on what basis. This adds credibility and clarity to your statement.

Common error

While "found to be wrong" is in passive voice, avoid stacking multiple passive constructions in the same sentence. Over-reliance on passive voice can make your writing sound weak and unclear. Consider rephrasing to use active voice for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found to be wrong" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of something after it has been evaluated and determined to be incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

27%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "found to be wrong" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating that something previously thought to be correct has been proven or discovered to be inaccurate. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile, fitting into various contexts from news reporting to scientific discourse. While suitable for both formal and informal communication, its presence is more pronounced in neutral settings like news media. When employing this phrase, clarity is key. Ensure the context highlights who made the determination and on what basis to enhance the statement's credibility. Be mindful of passive voice overuse to keep your writing clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proven incorrect

Emphasizes a demonstration of error, often through evidence or analysis.

determined to be inaccurate

Focuses on the assessment process that led to identifying the inaccuracy.

established as false

Highlights that something is definitively not true.

shown to be erroneous

Stresses the display or revelation of an error.

revealed to be invalid

Highlights that something lacks legal or factual basis.

turned out to be mistaken

Indicates a realization of a previous error.

demonstrated to be flawed

Emphasizes the presence of imperfections or weaknesses.

understood to be untrue

Focuses on the comprehension and acceptance of something not being factual.

recognized as a fallacy

Specifically identifies something as a deceptive or misleading idea.

judged to be incorrect

Indicates a formal assessment or evaluation resulting in a determination of error.

FAQs

How can I use "found to be wrong" in a sentence?

Use "found to be wrong" to describe a situation where something initially believed to be correct was later proven or discovered to be incorrect. For instance, "The initial hypothesis was "found to be wrong" after further analysis".

What phrases are similar to "found to be wrong"?

Similar phrases include "proven incorrect", "determined to be inaccurate", or "established as false". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "determined to be wrong" or "found to be wrong"?

Both "determined to be wrong" and "found to be wrong" are acceptable. "Determined" suggests a more formal assessment, while "found" implies a discovery. The best choice depends on the context and the level of formality required.

Can "found to be wrong" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "found to be wrong" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. It's a relatively neutral phrase that doesn't carry strong connotations of formality or informality.