Cool MateIncorrect vs Not like that vs Wrong
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Incorrect
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
Not like that
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Wrong
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
| Incorrect | Not like that | Wrong | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪnkəˈrekt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪnkəˈrekt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //nɒt laɪk ðæt//🇺🇸 //nɑt laɪk ðæt// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɒŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɔːŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | not right or true | Used to say something is wrong or different from expected. | Not correct or not right. |
| Example | incorrect information/spelling | You should hold the brush like this, not like that. | He realized he had the wrong answers on the test. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, prove, consider something, absolutely, completely, entirely, be, prove, consider something, absolutely, completely, entirely | 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 | correct, right, true | - | right, correct, 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. | 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 | 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. | 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: Incorrect vs Not like that vs Wrong
What's the difference between Incorrect, Not like that, and Wrong?
Incorrect: not right or true Not like that: Used to say something is wrong or different from expected. Wrong: Not correct or not right.
Which is more advanced: Incorrect, Not like that, and Wrong?
Incorrect is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Incorrect: incorrect information/spelling 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 Incorrect, Not like that, and Wrong interchangeably?
Not always. Incorrect, 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.