presumably I was wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "presumably I was wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a belief or assumption that you made a mistake or were incorrect about something. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I must admit, presumably I was wrong about the outcome of the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I had imagined that the availability of "Pam and Tommy Lee: Hardcore and Uncensored" as well as the DVD of Paris Hilton's carnal self-actualizing, both even on Amazon.com, signaled the unsurpassable mainstreaming of the homemade sex video, but in this judgment presumably I was wrong.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was wrong, terribly wrong.

Independent

I...I was wrong.

The New York Times - Travel

"I was wrong, I was really wrong".

The New Yorker

Clearly, I was wrong.

The Guardian

WELL, I was wrong.

The New York Times

Gladly, I was wrong.

The Economist

Guess I was wrong.

The New Yorker

So I was wrong.

The New York Times

OK, I was wrong.

Independent

Lynsey: I was wrong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, you can use the phrase "presumably I was wrong" to introduce a change in your opinion, especially when there is evidence to support the shift of perspective. This will help the readers to understand the reasons behind your change of opinion.

Common error

Avoid using "presumably I was wrong" excessively in highly formal or professional writing. While grammatically correct, the phrase might come across as less direct than alternatives such as "I was mistaken" or "I erred".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "presumably I was wrong" functions as an admission of error or misjudgment. According to Ludwig, this expression is correct. It combines an adverb of probability ("presumably") with a statement of being incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "presumably I was wrong" is used to acknowledge a previous mistake or incorrect assumption. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used effectively in various contexts. However, it's more commonly found in news and media, and care should be taken in highly formal contexts where more direct statements might be preferable. While it is an acceptable expression, alternatives such as "I was mistaken" or "it appears I was wrong" may offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis, depending on the situation. The adverb "presumably" indicates that the conclusion is based on an inference or assumption, which is now understood to be incorrect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It appears I was wrong

Similar in meaning but emphasizes the appearance of being wrong.

I was mistaken, it seems

This expresses uncertainty while acknowledging the mistake.

My assumption was incorrect

This focuses on the incorrectness of the initial assumption.

I see that I was wrong

Emphasizes the realization of being wrong.

I stand corrected

This indicates that you accept a correction from someone else.

I misjudged the situation

This implies an error in assessing a situation.

I suppose I erred

This is a more formal way of admitting a mistake.

I was off the mark, apparently

This is a more figurative way of saying you were incorrect.

I guess I messed up

This is a more informal way of admitting a mistake.

I had that wrong

This is a casual way of saying you were wrong about something.

FAQs

How can I use "presumably I was wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "presumably I was wrong" to indicate that you are acknowledging an error based on a prior assumption, as in, "I thought the project would be completed by now, but presumably I was wrong."

What phrases are similar to "presumably I was wrong"?

Similar phrases include "it appears I was wrong", "I was mistaken, it seems", or "I stand corrected", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "presumably I was wrong" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "presumably I was wrong" might be better suited for neutral or slightly informal contexts. For formal writing, consider more direct alternatives like "I was mistaken" or "my assumption was incorrect".

What does "presumably I was wrong" imply?

"Presumably I was wrong" implies that you are admitting an error in a previous assumption, often because new information suggests your initial belief was not correct. It conveys a sense of reevaluation and acceptance of the mistake.