may be wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or doubt about the accuracy of a statement or belief. Example: "I believe the answer is 42, but I may be wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I may be wrong.

The New York Times

He may be wrong.

The Economist

You may be wrong.

The New York Times

That may be wrong.

The Economist

But I may be wrong.

The New York Times

Why he may be wrong.

The New York Times

Both assumptions may be wrong.

The New York Times

That presumption may be wrong.

The Economist

Ehrlich may be wrong.

The Guardian

She may be wrong.

The New York Times

It may be wrong".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be wrong" to express a possibility, not a certainty. Reserve stronger language for situations where you have higher confidence in your assessment.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "may be wrong" as this can make your writing sound overly hesitant and lacking in conviction. Instead, vary your phrasing and use stronger statements when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be wrong" functions as an epistemic modal, indicating the speaker's uncertainty or doubt about the truth of a proposition. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread usage. It's a way of softening a statement and acknowledging the possibility of error.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be wrong" is a common and grammatically correct way to express uncertainty or doubt. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its wide usage across diverse sources like news, academia, and science. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider more formal alternatives when appropriate. Related phrases like "could be mistaken" or "might be incorrect" offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis. Remember to use it to express possibility, not certainty, and always be open to correction!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be mistaken

Changes the modal verb from "may" to "could", implying a slightly lower probability of being incorrect.

might be incorrect

Substitutes "may" with "might" and "wrong" with "incorrect", offering a slightly more formal tone.

could be an error

Replaces "wrong" with "an error", focusing on the possibility of a factual mistake.

might not be right

Uses a more casual phrasing, replacing "wrong" with "not be right".

it's possible I'm wrong

Adds a personal pronoun and verb, making the statement more explicitly about the speaker's potential fallibility.

I could be off base

Introduces an idiomatic expression meaning to be completely incorrect or misinformed.

I stand to be corrected

Implies a willingness to accept correction if proven wrong.

I'm not sure that's right

Expresses doubt about the accuracy of something without directly stating it is wrong.

my information may be flawed

Focuses on the potential imperfections in the information possessed by the speaker.

the assumption could be false

Highlights that a specific underlying premise might not be valid.

FAQs

How can I use "may be wrong" in a sentence?

"May be wrong" is typically used to express uncertainty or doubt about a statement. For example: "I think that's the correct answer, but I "may be wrong"."

What are some alternatives to "may be wrong"?

Alternatives include "could be mistaken", "might be incorrect", or "I could be off base".

Is it better to say "may be wrong" or "might be wrong"?

Both "may be wrong" and "might be wrong" are grammatically correct and express similar levels of uncertainty. The choice often depends on personal preference or the desired tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "may be wrong" and "is wrong"?

"May be wrong" indicates a possibility of being incorrect, whereas "is wrong" states a definitive incorrectness. Using "may be wrong" expresses a degree of humility and openness to correction.