a popular misconception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a popular misconception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a widely held but incorrect belief or idea. Example: "Many people believe that bats are blind, but this is a popular misconception; in fact, they have excellent vision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a popular misconception.

The Economist

Lucy: A popular misconception concerns museum gloves.

The Guardian

But not business lunches This is a popular misconception.

The Guardian - Money

There is a popular misconception about football supporters' attitude to greed.

The Guardian - Sport

It is a popular misconception, but the House of York were all Southerners, to a man.

The Guardian

And contrary to a popular misconception, the retirement of the baby boomers is readily affordable.

The New York Times

It is a popular misconception that hydrogen is inherently good for the environment.

MIT Technology Review

There is, however, a popular misconception that Momofuku is a ramen shop.

The New York Times - Food

It is a popular misconception – indeed, a populist one – that the left behind are economically disadvantaged.

The Guardian - Sport

However, he said that Lydon is weighing in on a "popular misconception" concerning his standing on voting.

Independent

It is a popular misconception that the chameleon changes its colour to match that of the background.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a popular misconception", ensure you clearly articulate the correct information to replace the false belief. Simply identifying the misconception isn't enough; provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid stating "a popular misconception" without clarifying the actual truth. Readers might not know the reality and will be left confused if you only point out the error without providing the correct information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a popular misconception" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves to introduce and identify a widely held but ultimately incorrect belief. Ludwig's examples show it's commonly used to preface a correction or clarification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a popular misconception" is a noun phrase used to introduce and correct a widespread false belief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse sources like news, science, and academia. When employing this phrase, always provide the accurate information to prevent confusion. Consider alternatives like "a widespread misunderstanding" or "a common fallacy" to add nuance. Remember that clarifying the truth is essential when addressing "a popular misconception".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread misunderstanding

Focuses on the breadth of the misunderstanding rather than its incorrect nature.

a common fallacy

Highlights the logical flaw in the incorrect belief.

a prevailing myth

Emphasizes the unfounded and traditional nature of the misconception.

a general misbelief

Directly states the incorrectness of the belief held by many.

a typical false assumption

Points out that the misconception stems from an incorrect assumption.

a broadly held delusion

Highlights the intensity and the deeply rooted nature of the false belief

a familiar wrong notion

Emphasizes that the misconception is well-known but incorrect.

a publicly mistaken idea

Highlights that the misconception exists in the public consciousness and that it is wrong

a broadly accepted inaccuracy

Focuses on the widespread acceptance of something factually incorrect.

a commonly misrepresented fact

Indicates that the misconception arises from a distortion of the truth.

FAQs

What does "a popular misconception" mean?

It refers to a belief or idea that is widely held among people but is, in fact, incorrect. It's often used to introduce a correction of a common misunderstanding.

How can I use "a popular misconception" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a statement that corrects a common misunderstanding. For example, "There is "a popular misconception" that all cats hate water, but many cats enjoy playing with water".

What can I say instead of "a popular misconception"?

You can use alternatives like "a widespread misunderstanding", "a common fallacy", or "a prevailing myth", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to correct "a popular misconception" when I mention it?

Yes, it's best practice to correct it. Otherwise, you risk perpetuating the misunderstanding. Ensure you provide the correct information to clarify the point.