based on a misunderstanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"based on a misunderstanding" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe when something is founded or built upon a false or incorrect understanding of a situation. Example: The argument between Sarah and John was based on a misunderstanding. When they finally talked it out, they realized that they had both misinterpreted the situation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

d. based on a misunderstanding of Siberian culture.

The New York Times

The old rule was based on a misunderstanding.

The New York Times

The figure of 14 days was based on a misunderstanding of DWP figures.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kermode says UCATT's criticisms are based on a misunderstanding about tax.

The Guardian - Money

He was "absolutely shattered" at his sacking, which was based on a "misunderstanding".

The Guardian

Her impression of frivolity on his part was based on a misunderstanding.

The New York Times - Books

Administration officials said such concerns were based on a misunderstanding of the proposal.

The New York Times

The whole article is based on a misunderstanding of how the Liberal Democrats operate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Kolesnikov said fears of censorship of Cyrillic domains were unfounded and based on a misunderstanding.

The New York Times

Murray's case for libertarianism is based on a misunderstanding of his own responsibility principle.

The New York Times

Those decisions are based on a misunderstanding of what constitutes a sustainable fishery.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "based on a misunderstanding", ensure the context clearly identifies what the misunderstanding pertains to. Providing specific details about the misconstrued information enhances clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "based on a misunderstanding" without specifying the nature of the misunderstanding. Vague references can leave the audience confused about the root cause of the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "based on a misunderstanding" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or clause, indicating the origin or foundation of something as being rooted in an incorrect understanding. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples showing how the phrase connects an idea or action to its flawed basis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

23%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "based on a misunderstanding" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is founded on an incorrect or flawed understanding. According to Ludwig, it's frequently seen in news and media, academic writing and encyclopedias, serving to explain the origin of errors or conflicts. To ensure clarity, specify the exact misunderstanding when using this phrase. While it's appropriate for diverse contexts, remember that vagueness can undermine its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stemming from a misconception

Replaces "misunderstanding" with "misconception", emphasizing the incorrect belief as the origin.

resulting from a flawed interpretation

Focuses on the act of interpreting incorrectly, leading to the foundation being flawed.

arising from an inaccurate perception

Highlights the inaccurate perception as the root cause, implying a sensory or cognitive error.

predicated on a false premise

Emphasizes that the base assumption is incorrect, leading to a faulty conclusion.

grounded in an erroneous belief

Similar to "false premise", but highlights the belief itself as being wrong.

originating from a distorted view

Implies that the view is skewed or twisted, leading to the misunderstanding.

built upon a faulty assumption

Focuses on the assumption being the structural foundation, which is incorrect.

due to a lack of understanding

Shifts the focus to the absence of proper understanding as the cause.

because of an incomplete picture

Suggests that missing information is the reason for the incorrect foundation.

informed by a skewed perspective

The action of informing something is twisted or biased.

FAQs

How can I use "based on a misunderstanding" in a sentence?

You can use "based on a misunderstanding" to explain the origin of an action, argument, or belief. For example, "The conflict between them was "based on a misunderstanding" of each other's intentions."

What are some alternatives to "based on a misunderstanding"?

Alternatives include "stemming from a misconception", "resulting from a flawed interpretation", or "arising from an inaccurate perception", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "based on a misunderstanding" or "because of a misunderstanding"?

"Based on a misunderstanding" describes the foundation or origin of something, whereas "because of a misunderstanding" explains the direct cause. Choose the phrase that best fits the relationship you want to express.

What's the difference between "based on a misunderstanding" and "misinformed"?

"Based on a misunderstanding" describes the foundation of something incorrect, while "misinformed" describes someone who lacks correct information. Actions can be "based on a misunderstanding", while people are "misinformed".