"You are wrong"

When you hear somebody say something that you know is wrong, you want to tell them.

Here are ten polite and less polite ways of telling them they're wrong.

Ten ways to say "You are wrong"

casual · neutral · formal

I'm afraid that's not quite right.formalI'm afraid that's not quite right. The office opens at nine.
Actually, I think you'll find that...neutralActually, I think you'll find that the shop is closed on Poya days.
I'm afraid you're mistaken.formalI'm afraid you're mistaken. Your payment hasn't arrived.
I don't think you're right about...neutralI don't think you're right about the train times.
Actually, I don't think...neutralActually, I don't think he's from Kandy.
No, you've got it wrong.casualNo, you've got it wrong. We meet on Tuesday, not Thursday.
No, that's all wrong.casualstrongNo, that's all wrong. Start again.
Rubbish!/You're talking rubbish.casualstrongSharks in the Kelani River? You're talking rubbish.
Where did you hear that?neutralTea is bad for you? Where did you hear that?
If you check your facts, you'll find...neutralIf you check your facts, you'll find that Sri Lanka won in 1996.

How to use them

are fairly polite. If you really want to be polite you could make an apology first e.g. 'I'm sorry to disagree, but...'
are a little stronger and a little less polite.
You follow with a noun phrase or a gerund.
are very strong. You may upset the person you are talking to so you should be really sure about your own facts before you say one of these.
are actually quite rude. Even people who know each other quite well may not say these phrases to each other.
is followed by a sentence or clause with the correct information.

Quick check

Tap an answer. Nothing is saved.

See also: Disagreeing with people · "You are correct"

Finished this one? Tick it off. It is saved on this device only.