Cool MateNot like that vs Wrong
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Not like that
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Wrong
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Most formal: WrongMost common: Wrong
| Not like that | Wrong | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nɒt laɪk ðæt//🇺🇸 //nɑt laɪk ðæt// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɒŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɔːŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Used to say something is wrong or different from expected. | Not correct or not right. |
| Example | You should hold the brush like this, not like that. | He realized he had the wrong answers on the test. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | do it like that, see it like that, say it like that | be, seem, go, all, badly, disastrously, about, for, in, there’s nothing wrong with something, you can’t go wrong (with something), be, seem, go, all, badly, disastrously, about, for, in, there’s nothing wrong with something, you can’t go wrong (with something), be, seem, go, all, badly, disastrously, about, for, in, there’s nothing wrong with something, you can’t go wrong (with something), be, seem, go, all, badly, disastrously, about, for, in, there’s nothing wrong with something, you can’t go wrong (with something) |
| Antonyms | - | right, correct, true |
| Common mistakes | Used too seriously - usually it's light-hearted., Confused with 'not like this' - they're similar but 'that' implies a greater distance or difference., Overused in confrontational tones - it can sound rude if not phrased carefully. | Confused with 'right' or 'correct'., Used as a noun without an article, like 'the wrong is...'., Saying 'wrongful' in contexts where 'wrong' is more appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in casual conversation to indicate disapproval or a need for correction. Avoid in formal contexts. | Use 'wrong' to describe mistakes or bad behavior. It can be informal, but avoid using it in very formal writing or discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Not like that vs Wrong
What's the difference between Not like that and Wrong?
Not like that: Used to say something is wrong or different from expected. Wrong: Not correct or not right.
Which is more formal: Not like that and Wrong?
Wrong is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Not like that and Wrong?
Wrong is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Not like that: You should hold the brush like this, not like that. Wrong: He realized he had the wrong answers on the test.
Can I use Not like that and Wrong interchangeably?
Not always. Not like that and 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.