Word Adverb
incorrectly
adv.
manner
B1 Intermediate US /ˌɪnkɝˈɛktɫi/ UK /ɪnkəɹˈɛktli/ in·cor·rect·ly
Definition
adv.in a way that is not right or true. You use this when someone makes a mistake or does something the wrong way.
adv.in a manner that is not accurate or does not follow the correct rules.
Examples
“He spelled my name incorrectly on the form.”
“The machine stopped working because the battery was inserted incorrectly by the user.”
“If the data is entered incorrectly at the start of the process, the final report will be completely unreliable regardless of the software used.”
Usage
Typically placed after the verb or the direct object.
Pitfall
He did it incorrectHe did it incorrectly
Learners often use the adjective 'incorrect' when the adverb 'incorrectly' is required to modify a verb.
Etymology
From incorrect + -ly or in- + correctly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated