Wrong About vs. Wrong With
Wrong About vs. Wrong With separates directly documented constructions and keeps the distinction narrow rather than turning a context-sensitive pattern into a universal preposition rule.
Use “wrong about” when a person is mistaken regarding someone or something; use “wrong with” when something has a problem, fault, or undesirable condition.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Context | Use | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| a person is mistaken regarding a fact, matter, or person | wrong about | Use “about” for the subject of the mistaken belief/judgment. |
| a person or thing has a problem, fault, or undesirable condition | wrong with | Use “with” for what has the problem. |
| the sentence asks which distinction applies | mistake vs problem | Identify whether you mean an incorrect belief or a fault/condition. |
Quick tests
Decision test
Are you saying that someone’s belief or judgment about the following subject is mistaken?
If yes: Use “wrong about.”
If no: If you mean that the following person/thing has a problem or fault, use “wrong with.”
Caveat: These are different constructions with different meanings; this is not a free preposition swap.
Examples
I was wrong about the meeting date.
“Wrong about” marks an incorrect belief regarding the date.
What is wrong with the printer?
“Wrong with” asks what problem or fault the printer has.
You were wrong about him.
The person is the subject of a mistaken judgment, so “about” fits.
Further guidance
Core difference
Oxford directly documents “wrong about somebody/something” for being mistaken and “wrong with somebody/something” for a problem or condition.
Style Boundary
These are different senses of “wrong,” not competing prepositions for one identical meaning.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Wrong — Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Oxford University Press · Direct learner-dictionary evidence distinguishing wrong about a person/matter from something wrong with a person/thing.