were wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something was incorrect in a past situation or context. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, we realized that our initial assumptions were wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Well, they were wrong.

The New York Times

The regulations were wrong".

Independent

Both forecasts were wrong.

The New York Times

They were wrong – again.

Independent

THE doomsayers were wrong.

The Economist

Well, outsiders were wrong.

The New Yorker

The polls were wrong.

The Economist

The pundits were wrong.

The New York Times

"We were wrong".

The New York Times

Five teams were wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

"But we were wrong.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were wrong" to clearly and directly state that a previous assumption, calculation, or statement was incorrect. It's suitable for a variety of contexts, from casual conversations to formal reports.

Common error

While "were wrong" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal contexts. Consider using more nuanced alternatives like "were inaccurate" or "proved to be unfounded" to add sophistication and precision to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were wrong" functions as a declarative statement asserting that a prior belief, calculation, or understanding was incorrect. It’s commonly used to acknowledge and correct previous inaccuracies, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were wrong" is a common and grammatically sound way to acknowledge past incorrectness, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is frequently used in news and media, and is also appropriate in science and general communication. However, in more formal settings, synonyms such as "were inaccurate" or "proved to be unfounded" may be more suitable. As Ludwig's examples illustrate, understanding the context is key to choosing the most effective expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were mistaken

Emphasizes an error in understanding or perception.

were incorrect

A more formal and direct way of stating an error.

were inaccurate

Highlights that data or information was not correct.

were in error

Formal expression indicating a state of being wrong.

were fallacious

Emphasizes a logical error or flaw in reasoning.

miscalculated

Highlights a mistake in computation or estimation.

were misguided

Suggests that the wrongness stemmed from poor guidance or judgment.

were deceived

Focuses on being misled or tricked into a wrong belief.

were off base

An informal way of saying that an assumption or statement was wrong.

were unfounded

Implies that a belief or claim lacked a proper basis or evidence.

FAQs

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

You can use "were wrong" to indicate that a past assumption, prediction, or calculation turned out to be incorrect. For example, "Our initial estimates "were wrong", and we had to revise our budget."

What phrases are similar to "were wrong"?

Alternatives to "were wrong" include "were mistaken", "were incorrect", or "were in error". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "were wrong" suitable for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "were wrong" can sometimes sound too direct for highly formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "were inaccurate" or "proved to be unfounded" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "were wrong" and "were mistaken"?

"Were wrong" is a general statement of incorrectness. "Were mistaken" typically implies an error in perception or understanding, suggesting the error arose from a misunderstanding rather than a factual inaccuracy.