that was wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something was incorrect or mistaken. Example: "I apologize for the bad advice I gave you earlier. After further research, I realized that was wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of course, that was wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

"I regret saying 'half' — that was wrong".

The New Yorker

Levitt said on Friday that was wrong.

The Guardian

I did an awful, awful lot that was wrong.

The New York Times

Oh that was wrong.

Vice

"I'm not trying to excuse myself, because that was wrong.

Huffington Post

Well, that was wrong.

The New York Times

"I knew that was wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

That was wrong of her".

The New York Times

We know that was wrong.

The New York Times

I thought that was wrong".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was wrong" to acknowledge and correct a previous statement or action. It's a straightforward way to admit fault or misjudgment.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "that was wrong" without explaining why or offering a correction. Always provide context or justification for your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was wrong" serves as an declarative statement expressing disagreement, correction, or acknowledgment of an error. As shown by Ludwig, this expression functions as a direct way to indicate something was incorrect or inappropriate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was wrong" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to express disagreement, correction, or acknowledgment of an error. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While versatile, ensure context when using it and consider more formal alternatives like "that was incorrect" in professional environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was simply wrong

Adds emphasis to the incorrectness of the action.

that was incorrect

Replaces 'wrong' with a more formal synonym 'incorrect'.

that was a mistake

Indicates an error in judgment or action.

that was an error

Uses 'error' to denote an inaccuracy or deviation from correctness.

that was inappropriate

Shifts the focus to the unsuitability of an action or statement.

that was not right

Emphasizes the lack of moral or ethical correctness.

that was misguided

Suggests the action was based on faulty judgment.

that was ill-advised

Highlights the poor decision-making behind the action.

that was out of line

Indicates a transgression of acceptable boundaries.

that was uncalled for

Expresses that the action was unnecessary and inappropriate.

FAQs

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

You can use "that was wrong" to correct a previous statement or action, as in "I thought the meeting was at 2 PM, but "that was wrong"; it's actually at 3 PM".

What's a more formal way to say "that was wrong"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "that was incorrect", "that was a mistake", or "that was inaccurate".

Is it okay to use "that was wrong" in professional settings?

Yes, it's acceptable to use "that was wrong" in professional settings to admit errors, but it's best to follow up with an explanation and a proposed solution. Using more formal language may also be appropriate depending on the context.

What's the difference between "that was wrong" and "that was inappropriate"?

"That was wrong" generally implies an factual error or a mistake. "That was inappropriate" suggests the action or statement was unsuitable or offensive in a given context.