wrong outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wrong outcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a result or conclusion that is incorrect or not as expected in various contexts, such as decision-making, problem-solving, or evaluations. Example: "After reviewing the data, it became clear that the analysis led to a wrong outcome that needed to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"I think it's the wrong outcome," Mr. Sheth said.

The New York Times

If that meant those colleges had to reduce the number of their low-income students, Dr. Oxtoby said, "that would be terrible, exactly the wrong outcome".

The New York Times

In the heat of competition, Mr. Bronfman broke with decorum by deprecating Vivendi's alternative, a partnership with NBC, as "exactly the wrong outcome".

The New York Times

In the past year, this has resulted in a substantial drop in two-way trade in important sectors like textiles, exactly the wrong outcome.

The New York Times

But her death nonetheless seemed like the wrong outcome — an instant that could have gone differently, a story that could have unfolded otherwise.

The New Yorker

"We know that people with mental health problems often find these assessments hugely stressful and, since they don't accurately assess the extent to which a mental health problem can affect someone's ability to work, many individuals get the wrong outcome.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

And for many economists, rising inequality can create exactly the wrong outcomes for society over all.

The New York Times - Magazine

A DfE spokesman said: "We have made important changes to a system that rewarded the wrong outcomes.

Independent

"We have made important changes to a system that rewarded the wrong outcomes.

BBC

The government said it had made important changes to a system that had rewarded the wrong outcomes.

BBC

The citizenry bought into it in a classic example of false assumptions resulting in wrong outcomes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex situations, use "wrong outcome" to clearly indicate that the result was not only undesirable but also incorrect or flawed in some way.

Common error

Avoid using "wrong outcome" when simply describing a bad situation without implying an error in the process or reasoning. "Unfortunate situation" might be more appropriate when there's no implication of incorrectness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wrong outcome" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to a result or consequence that is incorrect, flawed, or undesirable. Ludwig AI validates its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wrong outcome" effectively conveys that a particular result is not just unfavorable but also flawed or incorrect. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it serves to criticize or disapprove of results diverging from expectations. Alternatives like "undesirable result" or "incorrect conclusion" offer nuanced variations, depending on the specific context. When writing, remember that "wrong outcome" implies an error in the process, distinguishing it from simply an "unfortunate situation".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undesirable result

Focuses on the negative aspect of the result.

unfavorable result

Indicates a result that is not positive or beneficial.

incorrect conclusion

Highlights the flawed reasoning leading to the outcome.

unsuccessful result

Indicates a failure to achieve the desired outcome.

adverse consequence

Emphasizes the negative impact or effect of the outcome.

poor consequence

Highlights the low quality or undesirable nature of the outcome.

negative development

Broadly refers to an unfavorable turn of events.

flawed resolution

Suggests a problem or error in the way the outcome was reached.

disappointing development

Focuses on the letdown associated with the turn of events.

suboptimal consequence

Emphasizes that the consequence is less than the best possible outcome.

FAQs

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

The phrase "wrong outcome" is used to describe a result that is incorrect or not as expected. For example, "The study's flawed methodology led to a "wrong outcome"."

What's a suitable alternative to "wrong outcome"?

Depending on the context, you could use "undesirable result", "incorrect conclusion", or "adverse consequence".

Is it appropriate to use "wrong outcome" in formal writing?

Yes, "wrong outcome" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in contexts where you need to clearly convey that a result was not just bad, but also factually incorrect or flawed. However, consider alternatives like "unfavorable result" or "suboptimal consequence" for an even more formal tone.

What is the difference between "wrong outcome" and "bad outcome"?

"Wrong outcome" implies an incorrectness or error in the process leading to the result. "Bad outcome", on the other hand, simply suggests that the result is undesirable, without necessarily implying any error. Therefore "bad outcome" could be used as replacement of "wrong outcome" in limited scenarios where you want to omit the error implication.