wrongly believe that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wrongly believe that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing misconceptions or false beliefs that someone holds about a particular subject or situation. Example: "Many people wrongly believe that success comes without hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Studies show that high-achieving, low-income students are far less likely to apply to selective colleges than their better-off counterparts, because they do not know their options, or wrongly believe that better schools are beyond their reach.

The New York Times

So many wrongly believe that gun violence happens mostly "out on the streets" and others believe owning a gun will protect their family from gun violence.

HuffPost

Josephine Bersee, Hong Kong Build better buildings Many people wrongly believe that earthquakes kill people.

The New York Times

Community and religious leaders wrongly believe that sexuality education promotes promiscuity.

The New York Times

Many people wrongly believe that China can improve its foreign relations only by significantly increasing economic aid.

The New York Times

Most supplier sales reps wrongly believe that satisfying customers' every request for information and support makes buying easier.

Harvard Business Review

Some managers wrongly believe that tangible resources are always more meaningful to employees than being treated decently.

Harvard Business Review

Many, he noted, wrongly believe that the problem is "the other guy" and that they don't make mistakes.

The Washington Post

One finding that may grab the attention of policy makers is that most Americans wrongly believe that anything having to do with religion is prohibited in public schools.

The New York Times

The new minimum retirement age is unpopular among youngsters who wrongly believe that jettisoning older workers will open up job opportunities for them.

The Economist

Many Americans wrongly believe that while they are dutifully paying taxes, a lot of other people — especially lower-income people and immigrants — are not taxpayers.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wrongly believe that" to introduce a common misconception before correcting it. This frames the discussion and prepares the reader for the accurate information.

Common error

Don't assume your audience will automatically agree that the belief is wrong. Clearly and respectfully explain why the belief is incorrect using credible sources and logical arguments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wrongly believe that" functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a belief held to be incorrect. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wrongly believe that" is a versatile and common expression used to introduce and subsequently refute a misconception or incorrect assumption. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent application across diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business writing. When employing this phrase, it's essential to provide evidence or reasoning to support the correction, enhancing clarity and strengthening your argument. The alternative expressions are "incorrectly think that", "mistakenly assume that", or "falsely presume that", with their interchangeability being contingent on desired emphasis and the specific nuance to be conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incorrectly think that

Focuses on the act of thinking rather than the belief itself, implying a simple error in reasoning.

mistakenly assume that

Emphasizes the assumption made is based on a misunderstanding or lack of information.

falsely presume that

Highlights the falsehood of the presumption, suggesting a stronger deviation from the truth.

erroneously conclude that

Focuses on the incorrect conclusion reached after a thought process, indicating a flawed logical step.

naively suppose that

Implies the belief stems from a lack of experience or awareness of the complexities involved.

labor under the misapprehension that

A more formal and emphatic way of saying someone holds a false belief.

be under the illusion that

Suggests the belief is more a product of wishful thinking or deception rather than a factual error.

operate on the false premise that

Highlights that actions and decisions are based on an incorrect foundation.

foolishly imagine that

Suggests a lack of intelligence or good judgment in holding the belief.

take it for granted that

Shows that a specific fact is considered true, with no reasoning behind it.

FAQs

How can I use "wrongly believe that" in a sentence?

You can use "wrongly believe that" to introduce a misconception or incorrect assumption, for example: "Many people "wrongly believe that" success comes without hard work".

What are some alternatives to saying "wrongly believe that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "incorrectly think that", "mistakenly assume that", or "falsely presume that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "wrongly believe that" or "mistakenly believe that"?

Both ""wrongly believe that"" and "mistakenly believe that" are correct. The choice depends on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey. "Wrongly" emphasizes the incorrectness, while "mistakenly" highlights the error in judgment.

Can "wrongly believe that" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""wrongly believe that"" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and direct way to introduce a misconception. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "erroneously conclude that" or "labor under the misapprehension that".