what have we done wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "What have we done wrong?" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it anytime to express feelings of guilt, regret, or remorse. For example, "After the accident, we all looked at each other and one of us asked, 'What have we done wrong?'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Reporter: What have we done wrong?

Independent

"What have we done wrong?" "I have no personal problem with you," Condé replied.

The New Yorker

When Mr. Ibarra heard that the bridge collapsed, he said he initially thought: "What have we done wrong?

The New York Times - Travel

"Why are they shooting at us, what have we done wrong?" In his little flat, an archaeologist from Luhansk University, sorting through his collection of delicate flint blades, says that a few months ago he could organise small pro-Ukrainian rallies of a few hundred.

The Economist

"What have we done wrong?" added GB Badminton's performance director Jon Austin.

BBC

That's what I'm wondering?" Question 2: "What have we done wrong?" Answer: "I think I was already sacked, I have read..

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The few times when they did lose (say, not winning their fifth World Series in a row) became cause for tortured soul-searching: What had we done wrong?

The New York Times - Magazine

What have we been doing wrong?

The Guardian

What wrong have we done to endure such a bloody stupid war?

Independent

What have we of the Geritol set done wrong?

The New York Times - Arts

So what have I done wrong?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what have we done wrong", ensure the context clearly indicates who 'we' refers to and what situation is being questioned. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the question is effectively communicated.

Common error

Avoid using "what have we done wrong" as a generic expression of frustration. Be specific about the situation you're questioning to elicit constructive feedback rather than vague complaints.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what have we done wrong" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically a question. It seeks to understand the cause of a negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating it adheres to standard English grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what have we done wrong" is an interrogative phrase used to seek understanding of a mistake or failure, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and commonly used in news and media, formal business, and scientific contexts. The expression implies shared responsibility and a desire to learn from past actions. Ludwig AI indicates that while grammatically sound, clear context is important for effective communication. Related phrases include "where did we go wrong" and "what mistake did we make", each offering a slightly different nuance. When using the phrase, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity and facilitate constructive feedback.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

where did we go wrong

Focuses on identifying the specific point of failure in a process or decision.

what mistake did we make

Directly questions the error made, implying responsibility.

what were our errors

Identifies the plural and collective responsibility in a mistake.

how did we fail

Focuses on the overall failure and seeks an explanation.

what could we have done differently

Implies regret and seeks alternative actions to avoid the current outcome.

what was our fault

Directly attributes blame and asks for clarification of the wrongdoing.

where have we erred

Uses a more formal tone to inquire about mistakes.

what missteps did we take

Focuses on the specific actions that led to an undesirable outcome.

what were we thinking

Expresses disbelief or regret about past actions.

how did we miscalculate

Highlights an error in judgment or planning.

FAQs

How can I use "what have we done wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "what have we done wrong" to express feelings of guilt, regret, or remorse in a situation where a mistake has been made. For example, "After the project failed, the team asked, "What have we done wrong?""

What's a more formal alternative to "what have we done wrong"?

A more formal alternative could be "Where have we erred?" or "What missteps did we take?" These alternatives are suitable for professional or academic settings.

How does "what have we done wrong" differ from "where did we go wrong"?

"What have we done wrong" is a broader question about mistakes made, while "where did we go wrong" focuses on pinpointing the exact moment or decision that led to the problem.

Is it appropriate to use "what have we done wrong" in a business context?

Yes, it is appropriate if you're genuinely seeking to understand mistakes and improve processes. However, avoid using it to assign blame; instead, focus on collective responsibility.