Incorrectly

Incorrectly is an English adverb meaning in a manner that is not correct or not in accordance with fact. It is used to describe how an action is performed or how something is stated, rather than what the thing is in itself.

Etymology and form: The word is built from the adjective incorrect, which consists of the negating prefix in- attached to correct, plus the adverbial suffix -ly. As an adverb, incorrectly typically modifies verbs or verb phrases, such as actions, methods, or statements. The related adjective incorrect describes something that is not correct, while correctly and correct describe what should be true or proper.

Usage and examples: Common uses include "She answered incorrectly," "The machine was functioning incorrectly," and "The data were recorded incorrectly." Incorrectly can also modify clauses to indicate erroneous belief or assumption, as in "He, incorrectly, assumed it would work." In many contexts, the emphasis is on the manner or process rather than the outcome.

Common confusions: In standard English, incorrect is the adjective and incorrectly is the adverb. Some nonstandard speech uses incorrect as an adverb (“do it incorrect”), but this is generally considered nonstandard in formal writing. Distinctions to related terms include correctly (in a proper or true manner) and wrong or wrongly (more often indicating an error, with slightly different nuance).

See also: correctness, accuracy, wrong, error.