that were wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to actions, decisions, or beliefs that were incorrect or misguided in the past. Example: "There were several decisions that were wrong, leading to the project's failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Definitely the president did things that were wrong.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, it was the job numbers that were wrong.

The New York Times

"Of course, Fidel did things that were wrong," Livingstone said.

The Guardian

"I have seen two particular situations that were wrong.

The New York Times

"They went in for me," he said, smiling, as if that were all that were wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

It's not that people didn't do great journalism on things that were wrong with Donald Trump.

The Guardian

He had spoken of many of the things that were wrong with his native land.

The Guardian - Music

It is bad when statements that were wrong suddenly turn out to be right".

The Guardian - Opinion

"I had done some things that were wrong and stupid, but not criminal.

The New York Times - Health

It would have exposed so many things that were wrong with the police".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Forces families are suffering because of poor service under a contract agreed on terms that were wrong-headed from the start".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. In formal contexts, synonyms like "incorrect" or "erroneous" might be more appropriate than "wrong".

Common error

While "that were wrong" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem less professional. Vary your language by using more precise synonyms like "inaccurate" or "untenable" depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were wrong" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by providing additional information about it. It typically specifies which items or aspects being discussed are considered incorrect or flawed. Ludwig's examples show its adaptability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that were wrong" is a commonly used relative clause to identify inaccuracies, errors, or flawed aspects within a context. As Ludwig highlights, its application spans from news articles to personal reflections, offering a versatile way to express the concept of something being incorrect. While generally neutral in tone, consider using more formal alternatives like "incorrect" or "erroneous" in professional settings. The phrase is well-recognized and grammatically sound, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that were incorrect

Replaces "wrong" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing factual inaccuracy.

that were mistaken

Suggests an error in judgment or perception.

that were erroneous

Similar to "incorrect" but implies a more systematic or widespread error.

that were inaccurate

Focuses on the lack of precision or correctness in details.

that were flawed

Highlights imperfections or defects that led to errors.

that were amiss

Indicates that something was not as it should be, implying a problem or error.

that were not right

A more casual way of saying something was incorrect or inappropriate.

that were unsound

Suggests a weakness or lack of validity in reasoning or foundation.

that were fallacious

Highlights errors in reasoning or logic.

that were untenable

Implies that something could not be defended or maintained due to being wrong.

FAQs

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

You can use "that were wrong" to describe actions, decisions, or beliefs that were incorrect or misguided. For instance, "Several assumptions "that were wrong" led to the project's failure".

What are some alternatives to "that were wrong"?

Alternatives include "that were incorrect", "that were mistaken", or "that were erroneous", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "that were wrong" or "that were incorrect"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "that were incorrect" may be preferred in formal writing for its more precise and professional tone. "That were wrong" is suitable for general use.

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

"That were wrong" typically refers to factual inaccuracies or mistakes, while "that were inappropriate" suggests that something was unsuitable or out of place. The choice depends on the specific context you're describing.