prove them wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prove them wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to show that the beliefs of someone else are incorrect or misguided. Example: "His teachers thought he would never succeed, but he proved them wrong by going to college and becoming an engineer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Howard Dean wants to prove Them wrong.

Huffington Post

So, I prove them wrong.

The New York Times

But we have to prove them wrong.

Independent

Can Lewis prove them wrong?

The Guardian - Business

"It's our job to prove them wrong".

The New York Times - Sports

I was determined to prove them wrong.

The New York Times

I say, Dartmouth will prove them wrong.

The Washington Post

"It's my job to prove them wrong".

The New York Times - Sports

You want to prove them wrong".

The New York Times - Sports

We have to prove them wrong".

The New York Times - Sports

Chandler set out to prove them wrong.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prove them wrong" when you want to emphasize a sense of determination and triumph over skepticism or doubt. It's particularly effective when highlighting personal achievements against the odds.

Common error

While "prove them wrong" is widely understood, it can sound informal in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for alternatives like "disprove their claims" or "invalidate their assumptions" in contexts requiring a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prove them wrong" functions as a declarative statement expressing the intention or action of disproving someone's beliefs, predictions, or judgments. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, making it a versatile choice in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prove them wrong" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey the act of disproving someone's beliefs or expectations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable in written English and finds frequent use in News & Media, Academia and Wiki contexts. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of the register and consider more formal alternatives like "disprove their claims" in professional or academic settings. The phrase's prevalence in reputable sources like The New York Times and BBC underscores its reliability. Remember to leverage its motivating force and expressive potential while tailoring your language to the specific audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show them to be incorrect

A more explicit and straightforward way of stating the intention to demonstrate someone's error.

disprove their claims

Focuses on refuting specific assertions made by others.

invalidate their assumptions

Highlights the act of nullifying the underlying assumptions of others.

refute their predictions

Specifically addresses the act of proving future projections to be incorrect.

belie their expectations

Emphasizes acting in a way that contradicts what others anticipate.

prove their doubts unfounded

Highlights showing that their hesitations were not justified.

contradict their views

Directly opposes the opinions or perspectives held by others.

overturn their judgments

Implies reversing or negating decisions or assessments made by others.

debunk their theories

Specifically aims to expose the falseness of theoretical frameworks.

vindicate oneself

Focuses on clearing oneself of blame or suspicion when others are wrong about your abilities.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "prove them wrong" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "disprove their claims", "invalidate their assumptions", or "refute their predictions".

Is "prove them wrong" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "prove them wrong" might be perceived as too informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "prove them wrong" and "prove them mistaken"?

"Prove them wrong" has a broader scope, implying disagreement or doubt about someone's abilities or views. "Prove them mistaken" specifically suggests correcting a factual error or misunderstanding.

Can I use "prove them wrong" in a professional setting?

The appropriateness of using "prove them wrong" in a professional setting depends on the context and company culture. It's generally acceptable in less formal environments but may be better replaced with phrases like "demonstrate otherwise" in more formal settings.