Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

that wasn't right
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(3)

that was wrong

that was inappropriate

that was out of line

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No, that wasn't right.

News & Media

The New Yorker

You shouldn't do anything that wasn't right".

News & Media

The New Yorker

Yeah, that wasn't right, to tell you the truth.

News & Media

The Guardian

"My son Nicholas was placed in a school that wasn't right for him.

News & Media

The Guardian

"For every job that wasn't right for me, I was like, 'I'll keep looking.' " But every wrong apartment depressed her.

News & Media

The New York Times

"As we say in Texas, that wasn't right," Mr. Bush said, enunciating the word "wasn't" in a drawl.

News & Media

The New York Times

You already had the wherewithal to do the soul-searching to get yourself out of a relationship that wasn't right.

News & Media

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Did the lead producers' devotion to Mr. Mamet — and the hope of a lucrative "Glengarry" revival — mean staging a new work that wasn't right, or ready, for Broadway?

News & Media

The New York Times

Victoria knew that trust was essential for building a client base: if she talked a customer into something that wasn't right, the customer would never come back.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"But if Hartmann is in our office each day, assigning lawyers, deciding which cases to bring, what evidence to use, and then supervising the case — that wasn't right".

News & Media

The New Yorker

These are luxuries in many parts of the world, but they were the thin string holding my brother's life together by giving him a connection to the world that wasn't right around him.

News & Media

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that wasn't right" to express disapproval or disagreement with a specific action or situation. It's suitable for conveying a sense of injustice, inappropriateness, or factual inaccuracy.

Common error

While "that wasn't right" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal or academic writing can make your tone sound less professional. Consider using more precise and formal alternatives like "that was incorrect" or "that was inappropriate" to maintain a sophisticated style.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that wasn't right" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing disagreement, disapproval, or correction. It's a common way to indicate that something is incorrect, unfair, or inappropriate. As shown in Ludwig, this can range from factual inaccuracies to ethical violations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

11%

Wiki

Less common in

Science

Encyclopedias

Reference

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that wasn't right" is a versatile phrase used to express disapproval or disagreement. It functions as an evaluative statement suitable for neutral contexts, though it may be less appropriate in highly formal writing. Ludwig's examples indicate its frequent use across news and media sources. Alternatives like "that was incorrect" or "that was wrong" can offer more precision or emphasis depending on the specific situation. Given that Ludwig AI provides a positive grammatical assessment, the phrase is well-accepted and widely understood in English.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was incorrect

Replaces 'right' with 'incorrect', focusing on factual accuracy.

that was wrong

A more direct synonym, implying a moral or ethical breach.

that was inappropriate

Highlights a lack of suitability or decorum in the situation.

that was unacceptable

Emphasizes that the action or situation cannot be tolerated or approved.

that was out of line

Indicates a transgression of established boundaries or norms.

that was unfair

Focuses on the lack of justice or impartiality.

that was unjust

Highlights the violation of moral or legal principles.

that was not okay

A more informal way of expressing disapproval or concern.

that was out of order

Similar to 'out of line', but can also imply a procedural error.

that was simply not on

An idiomatic expression, common in British English, denoting unacceptable behaviour.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "that wasn't right"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "that was incorrect", "that was wrong", "that was inappropriate", or "that was unfair".

Is "that wasn't right" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "that wasn't right" is generally better suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise and professional alternatives.

How can I use "that wasn't right" in a sentence?

You can use "that wasn't right" to express disapproval or disagreement. For example, "Taking credit for someone else's work? Well, "that wasn't right" at all."

What's the difference between "that wasn't right" and "that was wrong"?

While similar, "that was wrong" often implies a stronger moral or ethical violation, whereas "that wasn't right" can refer to something factually incorrect or simply inappropriate. Therefore, "that was wrong" is often the stronger expression between the two.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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that wasn't rightGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

that wasn't right
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples