erroneous understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "erroneous understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a misunderstanding or incorrect interpretation of information or a concept. Example: "His erroneous understanding of the theory led to significant mistakes in his research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Osborne says the OBR figures are based on an erroneous understanding of what the next government will do.

The Guardian

And there has been a very erroneous understanding of that time, perpetuated by some legal scholars who claim that everyone in Britain had guns in the 18th century.

Stanford University

Caplan's point is that voters' views on the economy are not random, the result of "rational ignorance"; they reflect systematic biases caused by an erroneous understanding of the way economies work.

The New Yorker

Nevertheless, a good many commenters remained committed to their erroneous understanding of the case, some castigating Ms. Liebeck as foolish for driving with liquid she must have known would be hot.

The New York Times

Representative Henry A. Waxman, Democrat of California, opened an investigation last month into whether his company has been overcharging the military for its contract in Iraq, although Mr. Sargeant said Mr. Waxman's office had an erroneous understanding of what the company was billing.

The New York Times

Nineteenth-century anthropologists had judged exotic peoples similarly, saying they had no creation myths and apparently crude languages that could not count or convey abstract thought, before it was proved it was our erroneous understanding of these "primitive" societies that was primitive.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Americans support a war when they feel threatened, which they initially did in Iraq because of the (erroneous) understandings about weapons of mass destruction and Iraq as a terrorist nexus.

The Economist

In order to reduce the risk of arriving at erroneous conclusions, understanding the influence of those factors on water quality attributes is very important when assessing the consequences of forestry practices on stream environments and comparing the effects of different land-uses on waterways.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Given that erroneous public understanding of climate change has been proposed as an important roadblock to public action (Weber & Stern, 2011), it may be that inconsistencies in the measurement of public understanding of climate change is a barrier to better understanding of the relationships between beliefs and behavior/policy support.

Environment and Behavior

Indeed, although describing CSF and its flow through the ventricular system, Magendie was erroneous in his understanding of direction of its movement.

Fluids and Barriers of the CNS

Many employers harbor erroneous conceptions or poor understanding of military spouses.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex topics, clearly define key terms to prevent an "erroneous understanding" among your audience. This proactive step ensures that everyone shares a common foundation of knowledge, minimizing potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid drawing broad conclusions based on insufficient data. An "erroneous understanding" often arises from prematurely generalizing patterns observed in a small or unrepresentative sample. Always seek comprehensive evidence before forming an opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "erroneous understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of having a flawed or incorrect comprehension of something, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "erroneous understanding" describes an incorrect or flawed comprehension of something. As Ludwig AI explains, this noun phrase is grammatically correct and functions to identify and critique misunderstandings. With a neutral to formal register, it appears across various authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and academic publications. While alternatives like "inaccurate understanding" or "incorrect interpretation" exist, "erroneous understanding" emphasizes a significant deviation from the truth. Use it to precisely highlight and correct flawed thinking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inaccurate understanding

Replaces "erroneous" with "inaccurate", emphasizing a lack of precision rather than outright error.

incorrect interpretation

Focuses on the act of interpreting something wrongly, shifting the emphasis from understanding to interpretation.

flawed comprehension

Uses "flawed" to suggest a defect in the understanding process.

mistaken belief

Shifts the focus to belief rather than understanding, implying acceptance of something untrue.

misguided perception

Emphasizes a faulty perception leading to misunderstanding.

false impression

Highlights the creation of an untrue mental image or idea.

wrong assumption

Focuses on an incorrect assumption as the basis for misunderstanding.

faulty grasp

Implies a weak or deficient understanding of a subject.

invalid assessment

Refers to an incorrect or unreliable evaluation.

unfounded notion

Highlights the lack of a solid basis for an idea or understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "erroneous understanding" to describe a situation where someone has an incorrect or flawed comprehension of a topic. For example, "His "erroneous understanding" of the economic principles led to poor investment decisions."

What's the difference between "erroneous understanding" and "inaccurate understanding"?

While both phrases suggest a flawed comprehension, "erroneous understanding" implies a more significant deviation from the truth, while "inaccurate understanding" might refer to a less severe lack of precision.

What are some alternatives to using "erroneous understanding" in my writing?

You can use alternatives like "incorrect interpretation", "flawed comprehension", or "mistaken belief", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it most appropriate to use the phrase "erroneous understanding"?

It is best to use "erroneous understanding" when you want to emphasize that someone's comprehension is not only incorrect but also significantly misleading or based on flawed information.