erroneous belief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "erroneous belief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a belief that is incorrect or based on false information. Example: "Many people hold the erroneous belief that vaccines cause autism, despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The erroneous belief that open access equals "author pays" further muddies the waters.

The Guardian

Some drop out under the erroneous belief that they are not eligible to attend college.

The New York Times

His party's long-term erroneous belief, despite diving membership numbers, is to differentiate itself only marginally from political opponents.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's like they're panic-buying the stuff in the erroneous belief there's going to be music rationing or something.

The Guardian - Music

Because we are in the grip of deep-seated but erroneous belief that hegemony buys total security?

The Economist

It is an old erroneous belief that the Jews had a choice to be killed by the Nazis or to do something to save themselves.

The New York Times

We knew there are many forms of fit and that there is a wide-spread erroneous belief that modern drugs can always control them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The erroneous belief is that the body must now be used to the new organ and that drugs may no longer be necessary in such large quantities.

The Guardian

One strategy that has proved effective is persuading religious leaders to dispel the widespread, erroneous belief that Islam calls for circumcision.

The New York Times

This has fueled the erroneous belief among some Kenyans that the Western powers that fund the court are seeking to divide and rule the country themselves.

The New York Times

But many of them also harbour an erroneous belief that pigs, unlike primates, pose a small risk of passing infections to people.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "erroneous belief", ensure you provide evidence or reasoning to demonstrate why the belief is incorrect to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid assuming that an "erroneous belief" is universally held. Qualify your statement by specifying the group or context where the belief is prevalent to avoid generalizations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "erroneous belief" functions as a noun phrase typically used as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It describes a belief that is factually incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Huffington Post

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "erroneous belief" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a belief that is factually incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal writing. When using "erroneous belief", it is best practice to provide evidence or reasoning to demonstrate why the belief is incorrect. While highly prevalent, ensure not to overstate its universality and qualify your statements with context-specific details. Alternatives such as "mistaken belief" or "false assumption" can be used to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mistaken belief

Focuses on the idea that the belief is simply wrong or inaccurate.

false assumption

Highlights that the belief is taken for granted without sufficient evidence.

untrue conviction

Emphasizes the lack of truth in the belief, framing it as a firmly held but incorrect idea.

incorrect notion

Presents the belief as a vague or general idea that is not accurate.

faulty premise

Indicates the belief is the foundation for a flawed argument or conclusion.

misconceived idea

Suggests the belief is based on a misunderstanding or incomplete information.

misguided understanding

Highlights that the belief leads to poor judgment or action.

inaccurate perception

Focuses on the belief as a flawed way of interpreting information.

unfounded assumption

Emphasizes the lack of a solid basis for the belief.

illusory belief

Implies the belief is deceptive or based on fantasy rather than reality.

FAQs

How can I use "erroneous belief" in a sentence?

Use "erroneous belief" to describe a conviction or idea that is factually incorrect. For example: "Many people hold the "erroneous belief" that organic food is always healthier, but this is not necessarily true."

What are some alternatives to "erroneous belief"?

You can use alternatives like "mistaken belief", "false assumption", or "incorrect notion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "erroneous belief" since beliefs are supposed to be true?

While beliefs are generally held to be true by the believer, the term "erroneous belief" is used to highlight that the belief is, in fact, not aligned with reality or established facts. It's not strictly redundant, but rather emphasizes the inaccuracy.

What's the difference between "erroneous belief" and "misconception"?

While both terms refer to inaccurate ideas, "erroneous belief" often implies a stronger conviction or adherence to the incorrect idea, whereas "misconception" can refer to a more general misunderstanding that may not be as deeply ingrained.