got wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got wrong" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It typically means to make a mistake or to have something incorrect. Example: "I thought the answer was 12, but I got it wrong. It was actually 15."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Laughs) There are a lot of things that people got wrong, that I got wrong, and Chicago got wrong.

The New Yorker

What do they say you got wrong?

The New Yorker

That's one deduction he got wrong.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And now to what I got wrong.

The Guardian

What had Viva Forever! got wrong?

The Guardian - Music

"There were other decisions he got wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

The one thing Hadid got wrong?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now Judge Cacheris must put right what he got wrong.

The New York Times

We are confronting head-on the things we got wrong".

Independent

In 2005 that was certainly something we got wrong.

Independent

"Rocchi got everything wrong that could be got wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing errors, clearly specify what was "got wrong" to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "I got it wrong", specify "I got the answer wrong".

Common error

Avoid using "got wrong" without specifying the subject or context. Being specific enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got wrong" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of making an error or being incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a common way to express that something was done or understood incorrectly. The examples show its use in various contexts, from personal mistakes to broader errors in judgment or calculation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got wrong" is a versatile verb phrase used to express errors or inaccuracies. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Analysis of usage data reveals its frequent appearance in news and media, as well as science and wiki sources. When using "got wrong", ensure clarity by specifying what exactly was incorrect to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "made a mistake" or "was incorrect" can be used for variety, depending on the desired nuance. Remember, precision is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made a mistake

Focuses on the action of making an error.

was incorrect

States a condition of being wrong, emphasizing the state rather than the action.

was mistaken

Indicates a belief or understanding that was wrong.

erred

A more formal way of saying someone made a mistake.

misunderstood

Highlights a failure to understand something correctly.

came to the wrong conclusion

Focuses on arriving at an incorrect inference.

miscalculated

Implies an error in calculation or judgment.

drew the wrong inference

Highlights the act of making an incorrect deduction.

misinterpreted

Highlights a failure to correctly understand or explain something.

fouled up

An informal way of saying something was done badly or incorrectly.

FAQs

How can I use "got wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "got wrong" to indicate a mistake or error. For example, "I thought I knew the answer, but I "got wrong"" or "The data they used was flawed, so they "got wrong" in their analysis."

What are some alternatives to saying "got wrong"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "made a mistake", "was incorrect", or "misunderstood". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "got wrong" or "was wrong"?

Both "got wrong" and "was wrong" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Got wrong" implies a process or action that led to the mistake, while "was wrong" describes a state of being incorrect. For example, "I got the date wrong" suggests an active mistake, while "The date was wrong" simply states that the date was incorrect.

Which is correct: "got it wrong" or "got wrong it"?

"Got it wrong" is the correct and natural word order. "Got wrong it" is grammatically incorrect and not used in standard English.