partly wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

"partly wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something which is partially incorrect or incorrect in some respects. For example, "His understanding of the law was partly wrong, which caused him to make the wrong decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

He's wrong, and partly wrong.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

These ideas are partly intuitive, and they're partly wrong.

Yale University

And you would be at least partly wrong.

The New York Times

In the end I was partly right and partly wrong.

The New York Times - Arts

But the conventional wisdom is at least partly wrong.

The New York Times

But this, while fascinating, has to be partly wrong.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

That incident, blamed partly on wrong information, added to the government's embarrassment.

Independent

"Nobody is going to force ourselves or the owners to make a decision until we know what's right for the club, because that was what partly went wrong before".

BBC

It was a thoughtful reappropriation that partly highlighted how wrong it was.

Independent

But they were wrong, partly because for years the price of gasoline did not cooperate.

The New York Times

In an online interview from 2006, Flanagan conceded that he had done things that were "wrong," partly because he was dismayed by the "gentrifying" East Village.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify which parts are "partly wrong" and why. This provides a more actionable critique.

Common error

Avoid using "partly wrong" when the statement is overwhelmingly incorrect. In such cases, "largely wrong" or "mostly incorrect" might be more appropriate. For statements that have no elements of truth to them, it's best to choose terms like "completely incorrect" or "totally wrong".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partly wrong" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the degree to which something is incorrect. It indicates that something is not entirely accurate, but not completely false either. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "partly wrong" serves as a nuanced way to express that something is not entirely accurate while acknowledging a degree of validity. As Ludwig AI affirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and academic writing. Alternatives such as "partially incorrect" or "somewhat mistaken" can be used depending on the context. When using "partly wrong", ensure you provide specific details about what aspects are inaccurate to enhance clarity. It's important to avoid overstating the error and to use more appropriate terms when something is predominantly or entirely incorrect. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "partly wrong" to provide constructive feedback and express partial disagreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially incorrect

Emphasizes the incomplete correctness of something.

partly inaccurate

Directly states that a portion of something is not accurate.

partly in error

Indicates the presence of mistakes in some aspects.

somewhat mistaken

Suggests a mild degree of being wrong.

not entirely accurate

Highlights that the statement or information is less than fully precise.

not wholly correct

Emphasizes that there are some inaccuracies.

not quite right

Informal way of saying something is not completely correct.

partially flawed

Highlights the presence of defects or shortcomings.

off in some respects

Focuses on specific areas where something is incorrect.

partly misguided

Suggests that the direction or understanding is somewhat wrong.

FAQs

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

You can use "partly wrong" to indicate that something is not entirely accurate. For instance, "His assessment of the situation was "partly wrong", as he didn't consider all the factors involved."

What are some alternatives to saying "partly wrong"?

Alternatives include "partially incorrect", "somewhat mistaken", or "not entirely accurate". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of inaccuracy you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "partly wrong" or "completely wrong"?

The choice depends on the accuracy of the statement you're describing. Use "partly wrong" when there is some truth or validity to the statement, but it's not entirely correct. Use "completely wrong" when the statement is entirely false or inaccurate.

What's the difference between "partly wrong" and "misguided"?

"Partly wrong" indicates a factual inaccuracy, whereas "misguided" suggests that the approach or reasoning is flawed. Someone can be "partly wrong" about a fact, but "misguided" in their strategy or understanding.