was incorrectly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was incorrectly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or situation that was done in a wrong or improper manner in the past. Example: "The report was incorrectly formatted, leading to confusion among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The number of bridesmaids was incorrectly reported.

The New Yorker

Madoo was incorrectly identified as Kama Ado.

The New York Times

John Hughes was incorrectly described as Eileen Bond's brother.

The Guardian - Sport

Buildings inspectors determined that the crane was incorrectly calibrated.

The New York Times

Loch Linnhe was incorrectly spelled in the original version.

The Guardian

Mary Judkins was incorrectly named as Mary Ludkins.

The Guardian

*Correction, February 11 , 2011 Bryce Dallas Howard was incorrectly identified in the original caption.

The New Yorker

A quick spin revealed that one of the distributor's two sets of contacts was incorrectly gapped.

The New York Times

In the original, the Faulkner novel was incorrectly referred to as Absolem Absolem.

The Guardian - Books

Does that mean that Brown v. Board of Education was incorrectly decided?

The New Yorker

A Mrs. Mabel Tate, of Texas, whose case was incorrectly diagnosed, died.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Make sure to proofread your work. Verifying facts can prevent statements from being "was incorrectly" labeled later.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something "was incorrectly" done without specifying how it should have been done correctly. Always provide the correct information or method to rectify the error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was incorrectly" functions as an adverbial modifier within a sentence. It modifies a verb or verb phrase, indicating that an action or statement was executed or presented in an erroneous manner. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is used to correct names, data, and procedures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

39%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was incorrectly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something has been done or stated in error. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly employed across various domains, including news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly state what the correct information or action should have been to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "was erroneously" or "was inaccurately" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Therefore, while "was incorrectly" serves a vital role in correcting and clarifying information, ensuring clarity and context will maximize its impact and usefulness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was erroneously

Emphasizes a formal or technical error, often unintentional.

was inaccurately

Focuses on the lack of precision or correctness in the statement or action.

was mistakenly

Highlights that the action was due to a misunderstanding or error in judgment.

was wrongly

Indicates that something was done unjustly or improperly.

was imprecisely

Emphasizes a lack of detail or exactness.

was falsely

Suggests a deliberate or unintentional untruth.

was fallaciously

Indicates an error in reasoning or logic.

was faultily

Indicates a mistake or defect in design or construction.

was defectively

Focuses on a flaw or imperfection in the way something was executed.

was amiss

Suggests something was out of place or not quite right.

FAQs

How can I use "was incorrectly" in a sentence?

You can use "was incorrectly" to indicate that something was done or reported in error. For instance, "The data was incorrectly entered into the system" or "The name was incorrectly spelled in the article".

What are some alternatives to "was incorrectly"?

Alternatives include "was erroneously", "was inaccurately", or "was wrongly", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "was incorrectly" or "was incorrect"?

"Was incorrectly" is an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, while "was incorrect" is an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. "Was incorrectly" is typically used when describing how an action was performed, while "was incorrect" describes the state of something. For example, "The calculation was incorrectly performed" versus "The calculation was incorrect".

What's the difference between "was incorrectly" and "was inaccurately"?

While both phrases indicate an error, "was incorrectly" suggests a general mistake, whereas "was inaccurately" emphasizes a lack of precision or exactness. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the general error or the lack of accuracy.