Word
incorrectly
Phoneticsin·cor·rect·ly, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪnkɝˈɛktɫi/
UK/ɪnkəɹˈɛktli/
Adverb of manner
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.”
Examples
simple
“He spelled my name incorrectly on the form.”
contextual
“The machine stopped working because the battery was inserted incorrectly by the user.”
complex
“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 incorrect
He 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.
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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/incorrectly