had not been wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had not been wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something was correct in a past situation or context, often in a reflective or evaluative manner. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I realized that my initial assessment had not been wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Calarusso had not been wrong.

The New Yorker

Having a baby while I was unmarried had not been wrong.

The Guardian - Books

The UK Energy Secretary, Amber Rudd, insisted the Government had not been wrong to scrap CCS just a few days before the Paris Summit began.

Independent

But by superimposing maps of the lower Columbia over Clark's sight line, a logger's son, Rex Ziak, said he found that Clark had not been wrong.

The New York Times

In any event, the intention of the encyclical was not to elevate one passage by Paul over another but probably, as Garry Wills has noted, to reaffirm that, in enforcing celibacy up to 1967, the Church had not been wrong — to assert that what was right in the past was necessarily right in the future.

The New Yorker

Necessarily, if what was done had not been wrong, it would not have been a deliberate act of cruelty done for fun.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Goya had not been wronged by the art market in his opinion, but by the museum establishment which destroyed Old Masters' work by over-restoration.

Forbes

Joy got to realize that she hadn't been wrong; it was him.

Huffington Post

And, so far, he has not been wrong.

The Washington Post

He has no particular standards, he said, but insists he has not been wrong yet.

The New York Times

And the Democrats lack both ideas and leadership.Second, from this newspaper's perspective, Mr Bush has not been wrong about everything.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had not been wrong" to affirm the accuracy of a previous assessment, especially when that assessment might have been questioned or doubted. It is most effective in situations where subsequent events have confirmed the initial judgment.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "had not been wrong" can sound less direct than alternatives like "had been right". Choose the simpler phrasing when clarity and conciseness are paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had not been wrong" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, affirming the accuracy of a prior action, statement, or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and highlights situations where an initial judgment, facing potential doubt, was proven accurate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had not been wrong" serves to confirm the correctness of a prior assessment, especially when that assessment was initially uncertain or questioned. Ludwig AI affirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase, noting its usefulness across various contexts, primarily within news and media. While grammatically sound, it's important to consider simpler, more direct alternatives like "had been right" or "had been correct" for enhanced clarity. The authoritative sources employing this phrase include The New Yorker, The Guardian, and The New York Times, showcasing its acceptance in reputable publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been correct

Directly states the past assessment was right, simpler in construction.

had been right

A more common and straightforward way of saying something was accurate.

had been accurate

Focuses on the precision of the past assessment.

had been proven correct

Emphasizes the verification of a past assessment.

had been justified

Highlights the validity or reason behind a past action or belief.

had been shown to be right

Similar to 'proven correct' but with a more passive voice.

had been vindicated

Suggests previous doubt that was later proven to be unfounded.

had correctly assessed

Focuses on the act of making a correct judgment.

had accurately predicted

Highlights the ability to foresee correctly.

had not erred

A more formal way of stating that a mistake was avoided.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "had not been wrong" for clarity?

For more directness, consider using phrases like "was correct", "was right", or "was accurate". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "had not been wrong" the same as "was right"?

While similar, "had not been wrong" often implies a prior doubt or challenge to the accuracy of the statement, whereas "was right" is a more straightforward affirmation. Consider using phrases like "had been correct".

When is it best to use "had not been wrong" over simpler alternatives?

Use "had not been wrong" when you want to emphasize that a previous assessment, despite potential skepticism, proved to be correct over time. The phrase "had been justified" is a suitable alternative.

What's a more formal way to say "had not been wrong"?

In formal contexts, you might use "had been vindicated" or "had been proven correct" to convey the same meaning with a more authoritative tone. You could also use the phrase "had not erred".