in the wrong form

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the wrong form" is not correct and is not usable in written English.
A more appropriate phrase to use in written English might be "not in the correct form." For example, "This essay is not in the correct form and requires additional edits."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He is right to be urgent, because Lili and Gerda are all too aware that, for those who are sentenced to lifelong incarceration in the wrong form, a change of clothes is not enough.

The New Yorker

Many brokerage house offi cials appear to agree with Mr. Regan's contention that the capital structure of much of the securities industry is in the wrong form and is periously impermanent.

The New York Times

But when Democrats were confronted by the Republican proposals in 1995, "there was a feeling that it was too much and that it came in the wrong form," Mr. Reischauer said.

The New York Times

However, would he be able to say the same if it happened today in our media-saturated online world, when football players are pilloried in the press over their tattoos and actors can be harangued to extremes for simply existing in the wrong form?

The Guardian

Andrew Gorlin, M.D. Hilo, Hawaii, Aug. 21, 2007 • To the Editor: It's great to read that Medicare will create incentives for hospitals to avoid errors, but simply refusing to pay for care given to rectify a mistake is an incentive in the wrong form.

The New York Times

Justice Department spokesman Matthew Miller said: "We have consistently said that leaks and mishandling of classified information are matters that we take extremely seriously". Whether or not Drake "thought he had a solid argument," he "made it in the wrong form," a former NSA official said.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The responsiveness and flexibility of the system are achieved at the expense of failing to invest enough to secure competitive positions in existing businesses, investing in the wrong forms, and overinvesting in some circumstances.

Harvard Business Review

Note that inappropriate functional forms will often fail to converge; or in other cases, the wrong form can result in convergence with unreasonable parameter estimates [ 4].

BMC Systems Biology

After a long wait, Ms. Butts receives the wrong form and is forced back in line.

The New York Times

"If you have the wrong form," Stern explains, "it does something crazy in the brain".

Huffington Post

We have the wrong forms of competition.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing errors in documents or data, use more precise language like "incorrectly formatted" or "invalid format" to clearly convey the issue.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "in the wrong form" in formal writing. It is often vague and can be replaced with more specific and grammatically sound alternatives like "incorrectly formatted" or "not in the proper format".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the wrong form" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically incorrect, which impacts its suitability in formal writing. It typically indicates that something is not in the correct or appropriate format.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "in the wrong form" is used, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect and less precise than alternatives like "incorrectly formatted" or "not in the proper format". Ludwig AI identifies it as such, suggesting careful consideration before using it in formal writing. The phrase appears mostly in news and media and science sources, but more precise language is preferred in formal contexts. Therefore, while understandable in informal settings, it's best to opt for clearer, more accurate phrasing whenever possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the incorrect format

A direct synonym, replacing "wrong" with "incorrect".

not in the proper format

Emphasizes the lack of adherence to a standard or requirement.

not in the intended format

Highlights a deviation from the original plan.

in an invalid format

Emphasizes that the format violates certain rules or constraints.

inappropriate format

Highlights the unsuitability of the format.

unsuitable form

Similar to inappropriate, but places more emphasis on the form itself.

in the defective format

Focuses on some flaw or imperfection within the format itself.

incorrectly formatted

Focuses specifically on formatting errors.

presented incorrectly

Specifically points to the way something is presented.

in the wrong way

Broadens the scope to any kind of process or method.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "in the wrong form"?

Alternatives such as "incorrectly formatted", "in the incorrect format", or "not in the proper format" are preferable for clearer and more precise communication.

How can I use "in the wrong form" correctly in a sentence?

While the phrase "in the wrong form" might be understood in informal contexts, it's best to opt for more precise language, such as specifying what makes the form incorrect. For example, instead of "the document was in the wrong form", say "the document was missing required signatures".

What's the difference between "in the wrong form" and "incorrectly formatted"?

"In the wrong form" is a general expression indicating something isn't right. "Incorrectly formatted" is more specific, suggesting a problem with the layout, structure, or style of a document or data. Opt for "incorrectly formatted" when appropriate to provide more clarity.

When is it acceptable to use "in the wrong form"?

While not encouraged in formal writing, "in the wrong form" may be acceptable in casual conversation or informal settings where precise language isn't critical. However, aim for more accurate phrasing whenever possible for clarity.