was quite wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was quite wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something was incorrect or mistaken in a particular context. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I realized that my initial assumption was quite wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

This was quite wrong.

The Economist

Nonetheless, it was quite wrong.

The New York Times

And that was quite wrong.

The Guardian

"I was quite wrong about them.

The Guardian

The only problem, it now seems, is that commonsense opinion was quite wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

His face being rather stern, I expected a homily of some sort, but I was quite wrong.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

You'd be quite wrong.

The New York Times

This would be quite wrong.

The Economist

He is quite wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

That is quite wrong".

The Guardian

This is quite wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was quite wrong" to politely acknowledge an error in judgment or understanding. It softens the statement compared to saying "was completely wrong".

Common error

While "was quite wrong" is acceptable, avoid overusing "quite" in formal writing, as it can sound less direct and authoritative. In such contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "was demonstrably false" or "was patently incorrect".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was quite wrong" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying the subject and indicating that a previous assessment, belief, or action was incorrect. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to express error.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was quite wrong" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something was incorrect. Ludwig highlights that it’s prevalent in news and media, offering a neutral tone suitable for a range of contexts. While "was quite wrong" is acceptable, consider stronger alternatives like "completely mistaken" or "entirely incorrect" for more formal writing. Remember to use it when you want to politely acknowledge an error, as it softens the impact compared to more direct statements. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and provides ample examples of its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was completely mistaken

Emphasizes the totality of the error.

was entirely incorrect

Highlights the lack of correctness without any qualification.

was far from accurate

Indicates a significant deviation from the truth or correct value.

was a gross misjudgment

Focuses on the poor decision-making aspect of the error.

was seriously in error

Stresses the gravity of the mistake.

was under a false impression

Highlights that the error stemmed from a misunderstanding.

was operating under a misconception

Focuses on the incorrect belief that led to the error.

had it all wrong

An informal way of saying that the information or understanding was completely incorrect.

couldn't have been more wrong

Emphasizes the extent of the error, suggesting it was as wrong as possible.

was barking up the wrong tree

Indicates that the effort or focus was misdirected from the start.

FAQs

How can I use "was quite wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "was quite wrong" to express that an assumption, belief, or prediction turned out to be incorrect. For example, "I thought the project would be easy, but I "was quite wrong"".

What are some alternatives to "was quite wrong"?

Alternatives include "was completely mistaken", "was entirely incorrect", or "was far from accurate" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was quite wrong" or "was completely wrong"?

"Was quite wrong" softens the statement and is more polite, while "was completely wrong" is more direct and emphatic. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What's the difference between "was quite wrong" and "was slightly off"?

"Was quite wrong" indicates a significant error, whereas "was slightly off" suggests a minor inaccuracy or approximation.