grave misconception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave misconception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious or significant misunderstanding about a particular topic or issue. Example: "Many people hold a grave misconception that climate change is not influenced by human activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The Guardian - Opinion

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Alarmingly, the majority of teachers lacked a comprehensive understanding of evolutionary theory and demonstrated grave misconceptions about key evolutionary concepts.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

One of the gravest misconceptions about antibiotic overuse is that it is people who become resistant, not bacteria – this ignorance extends across poor and rich countries.

The Guardian - Opinion

THE misconception lingers.

The Economist

The grave.

The New Yorker

This is a misconception.

The Guardian

It's a misconception".

The New York Times

We create this misconception.

The Guardian

That is a misconception.

The New York Times - Arts

That's the misconception.

The Guardian - Sport

That was a misconception.

The Economist

How grave is too grave?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grave misconception", ensure the context clearly establishes the severity and potential consequences of the misunderstanding. Providing specific examples can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "grave misconception" for minor misunderstandings. Reserve it for situations where the misconception has serious implications or consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave misconception" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "grave" modifies the noun "misconception". It serves to emphasize the seriousness or significance of the misunderstanding being described. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English to describe a serious or significant misunderstanding.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grave misconception" effectively conveys a serious or significant misunderstanding. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. While synonyms like "serious misunderstanding" or "critical error in judgment" exist, "grave misconception" adds a layer of severity. It's important to reserve its use for situations where the misconception has serious implications. As seen in real-world examples, this phrase is found in a variety of contexts, including news, science, and formal writing, indicating its versatility. Its function is to highlight a mistake with potential for significant negative outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious misunderstanding

Replaces "misconception" with "misunderstanding" and "grave" with "serious", focusing on the severity of the misunderstanding.

deep-seated misconception

Adds "deep-seated" before "misconception", indicating a firmly established false belief.

grievous misunderstanding

Substitutes "grave" with "grievous", intensifying the seriousness of the misunderstanding.

critical misjudgment

Substitutes "misconception" with "misjudgment" and "grave" with "critical", highlighting the faulty judgment.

severe misinterpretation

Replaces "misconception" with "misinterpretation" and "grave" with "severe", stressing the harsh consequences of misunderstanding.

major fallacy

Replaces "misconception" with "fallacy" and "grave" with "major", emphasizing the flawed reasoning.

profound delusion

Uses "delusion" instead of "misconception" and "profound" instead of "grave", suggesting a deeply held false belief.

significant misapprehension

Employs "misapprehension" instead of "misconception" and "significant" instead of "grave", pointing out a noteworthy misunderstanding.

serious error in thinking

Rephrases the idea as a "serious error in thinking", focusing on the cognitive aspect of the mistake.

fundamental error

Replaces "misconception" with "error" and "grave" with "fundamental", underlining a basic mistake.

FAQs

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

You can use "grave misconception" to describe a serious misunderstanding about a particular subject. For example: "It's a "grave misconception" that all fats are bad for you."

What is a less formal alternative to "grave misconception"?

While "grave misconception" implies a serious misunderstanding, a less formal alternative might be "big misunderstanding" or "major misconception" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "grave misconception" and "serious misconception"?

Both phrases indicate a significant misunderstanding. "Grave misconception" may suggest an even more severe or consequential misunderstanding than "serious misconception".

What are some synonyms for "grave" in the context of "grave misconception"?

Synonyms for "grave" that can be used in place of it include "serious", "critical", "significant", or "profound".