this is wrong of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is wrong of" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically intended to express disapproval of someone's actions or behavior, but the construction is awkward and not commonly used. Example: "This is wrong of you to treat your friends like that."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This is wrong, of course.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is wrong, of course; Americans know full well the beauty of the freedoms they enjoy.

The New York Times - Arts

I know this is wrong of me, unduly prejudiced, but still... Then again, as Auden said in "1 September 1939", "Accurate scholarship can / Unearth the whole offence... Find what occurred at Linz, / What huge imago made / A psychopathic God" – Linz being Hitler's childhood town.

The Guardian - Books

I think this is wrong, of course, but try to tell that to a faceless, acronymic government agency.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Now this is wrong on many levels, the least of which is technical.

TechCrunch

I admit now, this was wrong of me.

The Guardian - Film

This was wrong of O'Neill.

Forbes

"When are you having another baby?" This is wrong for all kinds of reasons.

Huffington Post

This thinking is wrong, of course.

The New Yorker

None of this is wrong, but we need a strong dose of common sense about priorities.

The Guardian - Opinion

All of this is wrong.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more common and grammatically sound alternatives like "it is wrong to" or "it was wrong of you to" for clearer and more effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "this is wrong of" as it sounds unnatural and may confuse your audience. Rephrase to clearly state what action or behavior is considered wrong and who is responsible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is wrong of" primarily functions to express disapproval or disagreement. However, its grammatical awkwardness often leads to misinterpretations. Ludwig reports that this is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "this is wrong of" is used to express disapproval, Ludwig indicates it is grammatically awkward and not standard English. It's more effective to use alternatives like "it is wrong to" or "that was wrong of". The phrase appears mostly in news contexts, but more formal options are better for professional writing. Therefore, consider rewording for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is wrong of

Adds an introductory "it is" for a slightly more formal tone.

that was wrong of

Shifts the context to a past action or decision.

it's wrong to

Focuses on the action itself being wrong, rather than the person.

it is inappropriate to

Emphasizes the lack of suitability or decorum.

it's not right to

Uses a more colloquial and direct expression of disapproval.

that's not right of

Combined the colloquial and direct expression of disapproval with the focus on a past action.

it was a mistake to

Highlights the error in judgment or action.

it's unfair to

Emphasizes the lack of justice or equity.

you shouldn't have

Directly addresses the person and their action.

that was out of line

Indicates the action exceeded acceptable boundaries.

FAQs

Is "this is wrong of" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig, the phrase "this is wrong of" is not considered standard English. While it appears in some contexts, it is generally awkward and less common than alternative phrasings.

What are some alternatives to "this is wrong of"?

Alternatives include "it is wrong to", "that was wrong of", or "it is inappropriate to". The best choice depends on the specific context and intended meaning.

How can I use "wrong of" correctly in a sentence?

Instead of "this is wrong of", try "it was wrong of you to". For example, instead of "This is wrong of him to lie", say "It was wrong of him to lie". This clarifies the action and the person responsible.

What's the difference between "this is wrong of" and "this is wrong to"?

"This is wrong of" aims to assign blame or responsibility, while "this is wrong to" focuses on the action itself. For example, "This is wrong of you" implies you are at fault, whereas "This is wrong to do" suggests the action is inherently incorrect, regardless of the person doing it.