Wrong vs. Wrongly — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 2, 2024
"Wrong" is an adjective describing incorrectness or inappropriateness, while "wrongly" is an adverb that modifies verbs to indicate an incorrect action or manner.
Difference Between Wrong and Wrongly
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Wrong" is primarily used as an adjective to describe something that is incorrect or not right, such as in moral or factual terms. On the other hand, "wrongly" serves as an adverb, meaning it modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, typically conveying that something was done in an incorrect manner.
When someone says, "This answer is wrong," they are using "wrong" to directly modify a noun, suggesting a lack of accuracy or correctness. Whereas, in the phrase "He was wrongly accused," "wrongly" modifies the verb "accused," indicating the action of accusing was done unjustly or mistakenly.
"Wrong" can also function as an adverb in a limited set of colloquial expressions, such as "something went wrong," suggesting a deviation from what was expected or intended. In contrast, "wrongly" cannot be used to directly modify a noun.
The usage of "wrong" to impact nouns directly aligns with its role in indicating error or inappropriateness in conditions, actions, or judgments. Conversely, "wrongly" emphasizes the manner of action, often suggesting a breach of justice or correctness, as in "wrongly convicted."
Understanding when to use "wrong" or "wrongly" is essential in English, as it affects the clarity and precision of the expression. "Wrong" provides a straightforward description of a noun's state, while "wrongly" often introduces a layer of ethical or procedural judgement about how an action was performed.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective (primarily), adverb (limited use)
Adverb
Modifies
Nouns, whole sentences (adverbial use)
Verbs, adjectives, other adverbs
Common Usages
"This is the wrong way." "Something went wrong."
"He was wrongly accused." "Wrongly convicted."
Implication
Incorrectness, inappropriateness
Incorrect manner, often with an implication of injustice
Colloquial Usage
Limited in adverbial role, e.g., "go wrong"
Not applicable in colloquial noun modification
Compare with Definitions
Wrong
Used to indicate something not correct.
The solution to the problem was wrong.
Wrongly
In a mistaken or incorrect manner.
She wrongly assumed they were late.
Wrong
Based on error.
My initial assumption was wrong.
Wrongly
In a misguided manner.
They were wrongly guided by outdated principles.
Wrong
Unjust or unfair.
It is wrong to steal.
Wrongly
Unjustly or improperly.
He was wrongly punished for the incident.
Wrong
Not appropriate or fitting.
It was the wrong time to joke.
Wrongly
Inaccurately or erroneously.
The story was wrongly reported.
Wrong
Not functioning properly.
My watch is wrong.
Wrongly
In an inappropriate way.
The policy was wrongly applied.
Wrong
Not correct or true; incorrect
That is the wrong answer
Wrongly
In a way that is incorrect or mistaken
My name is spelled wrongly
Wrongly interpreted results
Wrong
Unjust, dishonest, or immoral
They were wrong to take the law into their own hands
That was wrong of me
Wrongly
In an unjust, dishonest, or immoral way
One who admitted acting wrongly was subsequently fired
Henry wrongly claimed £39,000 of taxpayers' money
Wrong
In an unsuitable or undesirable manner or direction
What am I doing wrong?
Wrongly
Not in conformity with fact or truth; incorrect or erroneous
A wrong answer.
Wrong
An unjust, dishonest, or immoral act
I have done you a great wrong
I was trying to teach my children right from wrong
Wrongly
Contrary to conscience, morality, or law
Stealing is wrong.
Wrong
Act unjustly or dishonestly towards
They would kill a man who wronged a family
Wrongly
Unfair; unjust
The kids felt it was wrong when some got to go on the field trip but not others.
Wrong
Not in conformity with fact or truth; incorrect or erroneous
A wrong answer.
Wrongly
Not required, intended, or wanted
Took a wrong turn.
Wrong
Contrary to conscience, morality, or law
Stealing is wrong.
Wrongly
Not fitting or suitable; inappropriate or improper
Said the wrong thing.
Wrong
Unfair; unjust
The kids felt it was wrong when some got to go on the field trip but not others.
Wrongly
Not in accord with established usage, method, or procedure
The wrong way to shuck clams.
Wrong
Not required, intended, or wanted
Took a wrong turn.
Wrongly
Not functioning properly; amiss
What is wrong with the TV?.
Wrong
Not fitting or suitable; inappropriate or improper
Said the wrong thing.
Wrongly
Designating the side, as of a garment, that is less finished and not intended to show
Socks worn wrong side out.
Wrong
Not in accord with established usage, method, or procedure
The wrong way to shuck clams.
Wrongly
In a wrong manner; mistakenly or erroneously
Answered wrong.
Wrong
Not functioning properly; amiss
What is wrong with the TV?.
Wrongly
In a wrong course or direction
Turned wrong at the crossroads.
Wrong
Designating the side, as of a garment, that is less finished and not intended to show
Socks worn wrong side out.
Wrongly
Immorally or unjustly
She acted wrong in lying.
Wrong
In a wrong manner; mistakenly or erroneously
Answered wrong.
Wrongly
An unjust, injurious, or immoral act
Felt that he had been done a wrong.
Wrong
In a wrong course or direction
Turned wrong at the crossroads.
Wrongly
That which is unjust, immoral, or improper
Doesn't seem to know right from wrong.
Wrong
Immorally or unjustly
She acted wrong in lying.
Wrongly
The condition of being in error or at fault
I hate being in the wrong.
Wrong
An unjust, injurious, or immoral act
Felt that he had been done a wrong.
Wrongly
An invasion or a violation of another's legal rights.
Wrong
That which is unjust, immoral, or improper
Doesn't seem to know right from wrong.
Wrongly
(Law) A tort.
Wrong
The condition of being in error or at fault
I hate being in the wrong.
Wrongly
To treat (someone) unjustly or injuriously.
Wrong
An invasion or a violation of another's legal rights.
Wrongly
To discredit unjustly; malign
"those whom he had wronged with his bitter pen" (Evan I. Schwartz).
Wrong
(Law) A tort.
Wrongly
In violation of a moral or other standard, code, or convention; in an unfair, unjust, dishonest, or immoral manner; unfairly, unjustly, dishonestly, immorally, wrongfully; wrongly convicted is synonymous with wrongful conviction and miscarriage of justice.
Wrong
To treat (someone) unjustly or injuriously.
Wrongly
Incorrectly, mistakenly; by error.
I wrongly assumed that it would be an easy job.
Wrong
To discredit unjustly; malign
"those whom he had wronged with his bitter pen" (Evan I. Schwartz).
Wrongly
In a wrong manner; unjustly; erroneously; wrong; amiss; as, he judges wrongly of my motives.
Wrong
Incorrect or untrue.
Some of your answers were correct, and some were wrong.
Wrongly
Without justice or fairness;
Wouldst not play false and yet would wrongly win
Wrong
Asserting something incorrect or untrue.
You're wrong: he's not Superman at all.
Wrongly
In an incorrect manner;
She guessed wrong
Wrong
Immoral, not good, bad.
It is wrong to lie.
Wrong
Improper; unfit; unsuitable.
A bikini is the wrong thing to wear on a cold day.
Wrong
Not working; out of order.
Something is wrong with my cellphone.
Don't cry, honey. Tell me what's wrong.
Wrong
Designed to be worn or placed inward
The wrong side of a garment or of a piece of cloth
Wrong
(obsolete) Twisted; wry.
A wrong nose
Wrong
(informal) In a way that isn't right; incorrectly, wrongly.
I spelled several names wrong in my address book.
You're doing it all wrong!
Wrong
Something that is immoral or not good.
Injustice is a heinous wrong.
Wrong
An instance of wronging someone (sometimes with possessive to indicate the wrongdoer).
Wrong
The incorrect or unjust position or opinion.
Wrong
The opposite of right; the concept of badness.
Wrong
To treat unjustly; to injure or harm.
The dealer wronged us by selling us this lemon of a car.
Wrong
To deprive of some right, or to withhold some act of justice.
Wrong
To slander; to impute evil to unjustly.
Wrong
Twisted; wry; as, a wrong nose.
Wrong
Not according to the laws of good morals, whether divine or human; not suitable to the highest and best end; not morally right; deviating from rectitude or duty; not just or equitable; not true; not legal; as, a wrong practice; wrong ideas; wrong inclinations and desires.
Wrong
Not fit or suitable to an end or object; not appropriate for an intended use; not according to rule; unsuitable; improper; incorrect; as, to hold a book with the wrong end uppermost; to take the wrong way.
I have deceived you both; I have directed you to wrong places.
Wrong
Not according to truth; not conforming to fact or intent; not right; mistaken; erroneous; as, a wrong statement.
Wrong
Designed to be worn or placed inward; as, the wrong side of a garment or of a piece of cloth.
Wrong
In a wrong manner; not rightly; amiss; morally ill; erroneously; wrongly.
Ten censure wrong for one that writes amiss.
Wrong
That which is not right.
When I had wrong and she the right.
One spake much of right and wrong.
Wrong
Deviation or departure from truth or fact; state of falsity; error; as, to be in the wrong.
Friend, I do thee no wrong.
As the king of England can do no wrong, so neither can he do right but in his courts and by his courts.
The obligation to redress a wrong is at least as binding as that of paying a debt.
Wrong
To treat with injustice; to deprive of some right, or to withhold some act of justice from; to do undeserved harm to; to deal unjustly with; to injure.
He that sinneth . . . wrongeth his own soul.
Wrong
To impute evil to unjustly; as, if you suppose me capable of a base act, you wrong me.
I rather chooseTo wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you,Than I will wrong such honorable men.
Wrong
That which is contrary to the principles of justice or law;
He feels that you are in the wrong
Wrong
A legal injury is any damage resulting from a violation of a legal right
Wrong
Treat unjustly; do wrong to
Wrong
Not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth;
An incorrect calculation
The report in the paper is wrong
Your information is wrong
The clock showed the wrong time
Found themselves on the wrong road
Based on the wrong assumptions
Wrong
Contrary to conscience or morality or law;
It is wrong for the rich to take advantage of the poor
Cheating is wrong
It is wrong to lie
Wrong
Not appropriate for a purpose or occasion;
Unsuitable attire for the office
Said all the wrong things
Wrong
Not functioning properly;
Something is amiss
Has gone completely haywire
Something is wrong with the engine
Wrong
Not according with the facts;
Unfortunately the statement was simply untrue
The facts as reported were wrong
Wrong
Based on or acting or judging in error;
It is wrong to think that way
Wrong
Not in accord with established usage or procedure;
The wrong medicine
The wrong way to shuck clams
Wrong
Not conforming with accepted standards of propriety or taste; undesirable;
Incorrect behavior
She was seen in all the wrong places
He thought it was wrong for her to go out to work
Wrong
Used of the side of cloth or clothing intended to face inward;
Socks worn wrong side out
Wrong
Badly timed;
An ill-timed intervention
You think my intrusion unseasonable
An untimely remark
It was the wrong moment for a joke
Wrong
In an incorrect manner;
She guessed wrong
Common Curiosities
Can 'wrong' be used as an adverb?
Yes, in limited contexts such as "something went wrong."
Is 'wrongly' ever used as an adjective?
No, 'wrongly' is exclusively an adverb.
What is the difference in using 'wrong' and 'wrongly'?
'Wrong' directly describes nouns as incorrect, while 'wrongly' describes the manner in which actions are performed.
Which is correct: 'wrongly accuse' or 'wrong accuse'?
'Wrongly accuse' is correct, as 'wrongly' modifies the verb 'accuse'.
What does 'wrong' mean?
'Wrong' describes something incorrect or inappropriate.
What example shows 'wrong' as an adjective?
"That is the wrong answer."
Can I say 'wrongly fun'?
No, 'wrongly' cannot modify nouns like 'fun'; it modifies actions.
How is 'wrongly' used in a sentence?
'Wrongly' is used to modify verbs indicating something was done in an incorrect or unjust manner.
What example shows 'wrongly' modifying an adjective?
"She was wrongly confident about the results."
Why is it important to choose between 'wrong' and 'wrongly'?
Correct usage ensures clarity and accuracy in communication.
What nuances does 'wrongly' add to sentences?
It often adds a layer of ethical or legal judgment.
Is it 'wrongly done' or 'done wrongly'?
Both are correct, but 'done wrongly' emphasizes the incorrect manner more clearly.
What is a common mistake in using 'wrong' or 'wrongly'?
Confusing 'wrong' as an adverb capable of modifying verbs outside fixed expressions.
How does 'wrong' modify a sentence?
In phrases like "something went wrong," where 'wrong' serves as an adverbial modifier.
Can 'wrong' modify verbs?
Yes, but usually in a fixed, idiomatic expression like "go wrong."
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
