got the time wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

This is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
Example sentence: He had arrived early, but unfortunately got the time wrong.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"I got the time wrong," Mr. Rattiner said.

The New York Times

"You think you got the time wrong, everyone's waiting for you — you think you made a big mistake".

The New Yorker

"You think you got the time wrong, everyone's waiting for you you think you made a big mistake".

The New Yorker

Due to bleary-eyed, sleep-deprived email-reading, I'd got the time wrong, I'd got the day wrong, and would have been none the wiser had his publicist not contacted me to ask how the interview had gone.

The Guardian - Film

When I arrive to meet Julianne Moore for breakfast at Pastis, a bistro in New York's Meatpacking District, the waitress says: 'She just left.' I panic she or I got the time wrong.

The Guardian - Film

We went once before but we screwed it up because we got the time wrong, so we missed the first half and had to watch it on the telly instead.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I had gotten the time wrong, so we missed the boat.

Huffington Post

As it happened, Mr Matteson got the time-frame wrong by about five years, but apart from that he was spot-on.

The Guardian - Tech

(Especially because Bono gets the time of day wrong — an error he sometimes corrects in live performances).

The New Yorker

Having gotten the arrival time wrong, they went to a neighborhood bar to kill an hour, which might have been why one staff member literally leaped into the interview with a triumphant whoop, and fell to one knee.

The New York Times

On Tuesday, having gotten the time of the Meadham Kirchhoff show wrong, I showed up two hours early.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "got the time wrong", ensure the context clarifies what event or activity was affected by the incorrect timing. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "got the time wrong" without specifying whose time was incorrect. For instance, instead of saying "We got the time wrong", clarify with "I got the time wrong" or "They got the time wrong" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got the time wrong" functions as a verb phrase expressing a mistake or error in understanding or remembering the correct time for an event or appointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and is often used to indicate a misunderstanding that led to an incorrect time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got the time wrong" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that expresses a mistake in understanding or remembering the correct time. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most frequently found in News & Media sources, but is also present in Wiki and scientific contexts. For more formal situations, alternatives such as "miscalculated the schedule" or "misunderstood the timing" may be more appropriate. When using the phrase, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Overall, it’s a functional phrase for everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misunderstood the timing

Focuses on the act of misunderstanding the specific timing of an event.

mixed up the schedule

Emphasizes confusion regarding a planned schedule or timetable.

was mistaken about the hour

Highlights the error in recalling or noting the correct hour.

confused the appointment time

Specifically refers to a mix-up concerning the time of an appointment.

arrived at the incorrect hour

Focuses on the action of arriving at a wrong scheduled time.

was off on the time

A more colloquial way of saying someone's calculation or understanding of time was incorrect.

had the wrong start time

Highlights the error regarding the intended beginning time of something.

blundered the hour

Emphasizes a blunder or significant error about a specific time.

miscalculated the time

Implies an active miscalculation, rather than a simple mistake, in determining the time.

didn't have the right time

Suggests a lack of correct information about the actual time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "got the time wrong"?

Alternatives include "misunderstood the timing", "mixed up the schedule", or "was mistaken about the hour", depending on the specific context.

Is it acceptable to say "got the time wrong" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "got the time wrong" is relatively informal. For formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "miscalculated the schedule" or "misinterpreted the appointment time".

What's the difference between "got the time wrong" and "had the wrong time"?

"Got the time wrong" implies an active mistake in understanding or noting the time. "Had the wrong time" suggests a lack of correct information, possibly due to an inaccurate timepiece or misinformation.

How to properly use "got the time wrong" in a sentence?

Ensure the sentence clearly indicates who made the mistake and what event was affected. For example: "I got the time wrong and missed the beginning of the concert", or "They got the time wrong, causing them to arrive late to the meeting".