he was misinformed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was misinformed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone received incorrect or misleading information. Example: "After reviewing the facts, it became clear that he was misinformed about the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Mr Stevenson says he was misinformed by a source, now deceased.

The Economist

Despite his impressive credentials, he said he was "misinformed" about homosexuality until Parag forced the issue by coming out.

The Guardian

Mr. Marinello said he had been told by a supervising custodian in the department that it was O.K. to take the scrap metal; he was misinformed.

The New York Times

I would have also mentioned to the student who shunned the philosophy course that he was misinformed about the job market.

The Washington Post

Galleryite recited list of A.E.'s dramatic works and attributed them to Augustus, only to be tols that he was misinformed.

The New Yorker

Mr Murdoch, 81, claimed he was "misinformed" about the scale of hacking at the paper after royal editor Clive Goodman was jailed in January 2007 for listening to royal aides' phone messages.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"I love Michael Douglas but he is misinformed," Kilmer wrote.

The Guardian - Film

Tell him what happened so he'll know he is misinformed and stop giving bad advice.

The New York Times - Magazine

He is misinformed; there are no wolves in the deserts, nor in the scant surviving marshlands of southern Iraq.

The Guardian

Re "With Findings on Storms, Centrist Recasts Warming Debate" (Jan . 10: Kerry Emanuel may be a noted meteorologist and hurricane specialist, but he is misinformed about Fire Island homes.

The New York Times

"He's misinformed and he's obviously got other motivations, but who knows what?" Peterson said the Romneys not only own the sand in front of their home up to the mean high tide line, but have agreed, as the Coastal Commission requires, to dedicate the approximately 6,000 square feet of beach to the public in exchange for their building permit.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the degree of intent behind the misinformation. "Misinformed" suggests a lack of correct information, whereas "misled" implies intentional deception. Choose the word that best fits the situation.

Common error

Avoid automatically assuming malice when someone is misinformed. Sometimes, people are simply unaware of all the facts, and assuming ill intent can lead to unnecessary conflict. Check "he was mistaken" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was misinformed" functions as a statement indicating that an individual possessed incorrect or incomplete information. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was misinformed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that someone received inaccurate information. According to Ludwig AI, it's a valid and understandable phrase. While primarily found in news and media contexts, it serves to explain actions or beliefs resulting from a lack of correct information. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential for unintended implications of malice, and ensure the context clarifies the source of misinformation. Alternatives like "he was misled" or "he was given incorrect information" offer nuanced variations, depending on whether there was an intent to deceive or simply a lack of accurate details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was given incorrect information

Directly states that someone received information that was not correct.

he was erroneously informed

Similar to 'misinformed' but emphasizes the error in the information itself.

he was misled

Suggests that someone was intentionally given false information.

he was under the wrong impression

Indicates that someone had a mistaken belief or understanding.

he was mistaken

A general term for being wrong or incorrect in one's understanding.

he was not properly briefed

Suggests a lack of adequate or correct information provided beforehand.

he had been deceived

Implies a deliberate act of trickery or misinformation.

he was laboring under a misapprehension

A more formal way of saying someone had a misunderstanding.

he was not told the truth

Bluntly states that someone received false information, possibly intentionally.

he had his facts wrong

Indicates that someone's understanding was based on inaccurate factual information.

FAQs

What does "he was misinformed" mean?

The phrase "he was misinformed" means that someone was given incorrect or incomplete information, leading to a misunderstanding or wrong conclusion. You can use alternatives like "he was misled" or "he was given incorrect information".

Is "he was misinformed" the same as "he was misled"?

While similar, "he was misinformed" implies a lack of accurate information, whereas "he was misled" suggests a deliberate attempt to deceive. Use "he was deceived" if you want to emphasize the act of deception.

What can I say instead of "he was misinformed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "he was laboring under a misapprehension" or "he was erroneously informed". Another more appropriate expression may be "he was under the wrong impression".

How to use "he was misinformed" in a sentence?

You can use "he was misinformed" to explain someone's actions or decisions based on inaccurate information. For example, "He made the wrong decision because he was misinformed about the company's financial status."