Cool MateIncorrect vs This is wrong
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Incorrect
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
This is wrong
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Incorrect | This is wrong | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪnkəˈrekt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪnkəˈrekt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs ɪz rɒŋ//🇺🇸 //ðɪs ɪz rɔŋ// |
| Meaning | not right or true | This is not correct. |
| Example | incorrect information/spelling | After reviewing your answers, I can confidently say, this is wrong. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, prove, consider something, absolutely, completely, entirely, be, prove, consider something, absolutely, completely, entirely | this is not right, this is unacceptable, this is incorrect |
| Antonyms | correct, right, true | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'inaccurate' which is more specific to details., Using 'incorrect' as a verb; it is only an adjective., Saying 'incorrectly' when needing an adjective form. | Sometimes learner fails to use 'this' correctly, leading to unclear references., Learners may misinterpret it as overly harsh or rude without context. |
| Usage notes | Use 'incorrect' when something is wrong, especially in formal contexts like tests or official documents. Avoid it in casual conversations, where 'wrong' might be preferred. | Use 'this is wrong' to express disagreement or point out a mistake. It's appropriate in everyday conversation but can seem blunt in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Incorrect vs This is wrong
What's the difference between Incorrect and This is wrong?
Incorrect: not right or true This is wrong: This is not correct.
Can you show an example of each?
Incorrect: incorrect information/spelling This is wrong: After reviewing your answers, I can confidently say, this is wrong.
Can I use Incorrect and This is wrong interchangeably?
Not always. Incorrect and This is wrong are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.