Word
erroneously
Phoneticser·ro·neous·ly
US/ɛˈɹoʊniəsɫi/
UK/ɛɹˈəʊniəsli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. in a way that is wrong or based on a mistake.
adv. in a mistaken or incorrect manner; based on an error in fact or logic.
Examples
“The computer erroneously flagged the file as a virus.”
“The bank erroneously credited her account with an extra thousand dollars due to a software glitch.”
“Historians once erroneously believed the ruins dated back to the Bronze Age, but modern carbon dating has since corrected that timeline to the medieval period.”
Examples
simple
“The computer erroneously flagged the file as a virus.”
contextual
“The bank erroneously credited her account with an extra thousand dollars due to a software glitch.”
complex
“Historians once erroneously believed the ruins dated back to the Bronze Age, but modern carbon dating has since corrected that timeline to the medieval period.”
Usage
Typically placed before the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.
Pitfall
The data was erroneously.
The data was erroneous.
Learners often use the adverb 'erroneously' when the adjective 'erroneous' is required after a linking verb like 'be'.
Real-World Examples
“An earlier version erroneously included a release date for the game, but none has yet been announced.” “Kennedy Jr., often claim erroneously that children’s immune systems are overloaded because the number of vaccines they receive has increased.” Etymology
From erroneous + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/erroneously