a false conception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a false conception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing misunderstandings, misconceptions, or incorrect beliefs about a particular topic or idea. Example: "Many people hold a false conception of what it means to be successful, believing it is solely about wealth and status."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Such a false conception is what Ryle calls a "category mistake".

SEP

Both of these conceptions of political justice are mistaken in Aristotle's view, because they assume a false conception of the ultimate end of the city-state.

SEP

Marx objected that these alleged rights derive from a false conception of the human individual as unrelated to others, as having interests can be defined without reference to others, and as always potentially in conflict with others.

SEP

From a very early point of his intellectual development, Dewey, like the British Idealist T. H. Green (on whom he wrote several essays) and the New Liberal L. T. Hobhouse, accepted that traditional liberalism in part rested on a false conception of the individual, which was ethically pernicious in its effect on liberal thought.

SEP

According to Wittgenstein, classical analysis rested upon a false conception of language and of thought....... for an analyst of this sort, philosophical problems do not result from ignorance of the precise meaning of a concept, but from an entirely false conception of its function..

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I think this lose-lose feeling is rooted in a culturally influential but historically false conception of the relationship between science and religion as one of perpetual warfare.

Huffington Post

The SFP is an initially false belief of a situation that may lead to a new behavior, which then renders the originally false conception as true.

Clinical interventions in aging

Prejudgment, false conception, and assumptions are a few of the many things that foster kids deal with on a constant basis.

Huffington Post

It's a false, misleading conception, the superhero.

The New Yorker

This is in part because Schopenhauer's work grasps the need to focus on the suffering of the present as it is, without covering it over with a false philosophical conception of the good.

SEP

Soon after the end of World War II, as part of Japan's surrender, Hirohito renounced what he called the "the false conception that the emperor is divine".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a false conception", ensure that you clearly identify what the correct understanding should be to avoid leaving the reader with ambiguity. Providing a contrasting viewpoint strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because two things occur together, one is necessarily "a false conception" of the other's cause. Thoroughly investigate the actual causal relationships before labeling an idea as false.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a false conception" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies an idea or belief that is incorrect or untrue. Ludwig AI confirms this use through its examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a false conception" is a noun phrase used to denote an incorrect or inaccurate understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives such as ""a mistaken belief"" or ""an incorrect notion"" exist, "a false conception" carries a slightly more formal tone. When employing this phrase, be sure to clearly articulate the accurate understanding to provide comprehensive clarity. Being aware of potential misinterpretations enhances your communication and strengthens your argument by directly addressing any "a false conception" the audience might have.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mistaken belief

Replaces "conception" with "belief", emphasizing the incorrect nature of the held idea.

an incorrect notion

Substitutes "conception" with "notion", suggesting a vague or general incorrect idea.

a flawed understanding

Uses "understanding" instead of "conception", highlighting the imperfection in comprehension.

a deceptive perception

Replaces "conception" with "perception", focusing on the misleading nature of the understanding.

a misleading idea

Emphasizes that the idea leads someone in the wrong direction.

a distorted view

Suggests that the conception is twisted or altered from the truth.

an inaccurate assessment

Highlights the lack of precision and correctness in evaluating something.

an erroneous impression

Focuses on the false feeling or idea formed as a result of something.

a faulty premise

Points to a false assumption or basis for reasoning.

a specious argument

Indicates an argument that appears correct but is actually fallacious.

FAQs

How can I use "a false conception" in a sentence?

You can use "a false conception" to describe an incorrect or mistaken idea about something. For example, "Many people have "a false conception" of what it takes to start a business."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a false conception"?

Alternatives to "a false conception" include "a mistaken belief", "an incorrect notion", or "a flawed understanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "false conception" or "mistaken conception"?

"False conception" and "mistaken conception" are quite similar, but "false" often implies a more fundamental error or deception, while "mistaken" suggests a simple error. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "a false conception" and "a misconception"?

"A false conception" and "a misconception" are very similar in meaning. Both refer to an incorrect or inaccurate understanding. "Misconception" might be slightly more common in everyday usage.