was quite incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was quite incorrect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something stated previously was wrong or inaccurate. Example: "The information provided in the report was quite incorrect, leading to misunderstandings in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At the same time, and by very intentional design, our heads of state are constrained by the constitutional imperative to work with a legislative branch that also possesses great powers - if not always exercised". Like many, I was quite incorrect about Trump's staying power.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is quite incorrect.

The New York Times - Books

The number of verified incorrect addresses was quite high among Poles and Bulgarians (32%and37%7%, respectively).

Comparative Migration Studies

I love F1 as much as the next fan but this is quite politically incorrect and repugnant and so unacceptable to anyone who respects democracy, and the least someone from the BBC team could do is actually answer the point.

BBC

In the strongly worded letter dated 16 May from seven Center department heads and senior scientist Harvey Alter, they wrote that the claim that patient safety took a back seat to research is "quite simply, incorrect".

Science Magazine

Taking a UVI of less than 3 as a threshold for no sun protection presumes that nobody will stay in the sunlight for more than an hour: a presumption that is quite arbitrary, and clearly incorrect.

Nature

Because the adjective means "undertaken by one," which is diplomatically quite incorrect, or "one-sided," which carries an overtone of arrogance.

The New York Times - Magazine

None is quite as raunchy and politically incorrect as male-oriented cable series like "Archer" on FX or "Tosh.0" on Comedy Central, but they are still notably coarser than "30 Rock" or "Parks and Recreation," with joke after joke about sex and hygiene — the vagina dialogues.

The New York Times - Arts

To say we were inspired to make The Switch is incorrect: we were quite uninspired by the television about transgender lives, and queer lives generally.

Huffington Post

In summary, while the proportion of interneurons exhibiting coherence during Correct Trials Only or All Trials varies across each of the four rhythms, coherence exclusively during incorrect trials is quite rare.

eLife

Inconceivable as this may seem to some, those who are ideologically incorrect can actually be quite nice.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was quite incorrect" to politely but firmly correct a misunderstanding or misstatement. It's more nuanced than simply saying "was wrong" and adds a touch of understatement.

Common error

While appropriate in many situations, avoid using "was quite incorrect" too frequently in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more direct and precise language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was quite incorrect" functions as a corrective statement, used to politely indicate that a previous assertion or understanding is inaccurate. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it introduces a negation of a prior claim.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Science & Research

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was quite incorrect" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to politely point out an inaccuracy. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It is commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse in highly formal settings. Consider alternatives like ""was substantially wrong"" or ""was significantly inaccurate"" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was substantially wrong

Emphasizes the degree of inaccuracy.

was significantly inaccurate

Focuses on the lack of precision or correctness.

was largely mistaken

Highlights the error in understanding or perception.

was demonstrably false

Indicates the statement can be proven untrue.

was completely erroneous

Stresses the absence of truth in the statement.

was patently untrue

Suggests the statement is obviously not true.

was a gross misstatement

Indicates a significant deviation from the truth.

was far from accurate

Emphasizes the distance from being correct.

was a total misconception

Focuses on the misunderstanding at the root of the error.

was simply not the case

States directly that the situation is different from what was suggested.

FAQs

What does "was quite incorrect" mean?

The phrase "was quite incorrect" means that something previously stated or believed is significantly wrong or inaccurate. It suggests a notable deviation from the truth.

What can I say instead of "was quite incorrect"?

You can use alternatives like "was substantially wrong", "was significantly inaccurate", or "was largely mistaken" depending on the specific context.

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

The choice between "was incorrect" and "was quite incorrect" depends on the desired level of emphasis. "Was quite incorrect" adds a degree of understatement or politeness, softening the correction slightly compared to the more direct "was incorrect".

How to use "was quite incorrect" in a sentence?

You can use "was quite incorrect" to politely point out an error or misunderstanding. For example, "The assumption that all participants agreed with the outcome "was a total misconception"."