having done something wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having done something wrong" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that you have committed a mistake or an error in the past. For example: "I felt embarrassed and ashamed, having done something wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

If she's being held up as having done something wrong, she should have accountability for it.

The Guardian

Key to Assistant's success will be how well it fails; with any new interface paradigm, alleviate a user's frustration and sense of having done something wrong when they don't encounter their desired result is key.

TechCrunch

Feeling someone's warm presence and supportive commentary allows us to open up without fear of having done something wrong or having to do something differently.

Huffington Post

The target group frequently recollects their childhood as growing up too fast, taking on responsibilities which interfere with leisure activities and involve fatigue, social isolation, vigilance and fears of having done something wrong [ 11, 40].

European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Stay away from those can't ever admit having done something wrong.[2].

WikiHow

Romantic chemistry often takes a number of dates to build, and it's not possible to judge yourself as having done something wrong from a failed first date.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The police have done something wrong again.

Independent

I felt I had done something wrong".

Independent

You must have done something wrong.

The Economist

Evidently, these friends had done something wrong.

The New York Times

I have done something wrong.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "having done something wrong", ensure the context clearly indicates who performed the action and what the consequences are. For example, "Feeling ashamed, he confessed to having done something wrong".

Common error

Avoid assuming responsibility without verifying facts. In situations where blame is not certain, phrases like "potentially having done something wrong" or "possibly having erred" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having done something wrong" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It typically describes a past action that is being reflected upon or is causing current feelings or consequences. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a mistake or error in the past.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having done something wrong" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase used to express culpability or regret for a past action. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. While versatile across various contexts, it appears most frequently in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the actor and the specific wrongdoing. Alternative phrases such as "having erred" or "having committed a mistake" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Avoid prematurely assigning blame without confirming facts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having acted wrongly

This is a simpler way of saying having done something that is not right.

having committed a mistake

This alternative is more explicit about the action being a mistake.

having been at fault

This places the blame directly on the individual.

having erred

This is a more formal and concise way of saying having made a mistake.

having been culpable

This alternative emphasizes the blameworthiness of the action.

having acted improperly

This phrase suggests a violation of rules or etiquette.

having misbehaved

This alternative suggests a breach of conduct, especially in a social setting.

having made an error in judgment

This implies the mistake was a result of poor decision-making.

having transgressed

This is a more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying having violated a moral or legal boundary.

having created an injustice

This alternative emphasizes the creation of inequity due to the action.

FAQs

How can I use "having done something wrong" in a sentence?

The phrase "having done something wrong" is used to indicate that someone has committed an error or misdeed. For example, "Realizing that I had hurt her feelings, I regretted having done something wrong".

What are some alternatives to "having done something wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "having erred", "having committed a mistake", or "having acted improperly depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "having done nothing wrong"?

Yes, "having done nothing wrong" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It signifies that someone has not committed any errors or misdeeds.

What is the difference between "having done something wrong" and "doing something wrong"?

"Having done something wrong" refers to a completed action in the past, while "doing something wrong" refers to an action that is currently being performed or is a general tendency. For example, "He apologized for "having done something wrong", whereas "He knew he was doing something wrong".