is misunderstood by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is misunderstood by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how someone or something is not accurately interpreted or comprehended by others. Example: "The artist's work is often misunderstood by critics who fail to see its deeper meaning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Conroy is misunderstood by many.

The Guardian

Yes, the Hungarian government is misunderstood – by itself.

The New York Times

That is misunderstood by a lot of people, even black people, and even some black ministers.

The New Yorker

And the big guy, who is misunderstood by everybody, doesn't know his owns strength.

The New York Times

Two blocks down, there's a pretty poor Pakistani community, which is misunderstood by America today.

The New York Times

Western countries are providing very limited support to the opposition, and this disinterest is misunderstood by Syrians after the interventions in Libya and Mali.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"It was misunderstood by a lot of people," Dolenz says.

The Guardian - Music

REIT's are misunderstood by many investors, Mr. Powers said.

The New York Times

"I think it's misunderstood by a lot of people.

The Guardian - Arts

"He was misunderstood by people," Father Haefner said.

The New York Times

But I am certain that this medication has been misunderstood by many others.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is misunderstood by", ensure the subject and the entity doing the misunderstanding are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is misunderstood by" without specifying who is doing the misunderstanding. Vague statements can weaken your argument. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is misunderstood by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is the recipient of misunderstanding. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. For example, "Evolution is a controversial topic that is misunderstood by many U.S. citizens."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is misunderstood by" is a commonly used and grammatically correct passive construction that serves to highlight a discrepancy between the intended meaning and actual comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a variety of contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. While it enjoys widespread use, it's important to ensure clarity by specifying who or what is doing the misunderstanding. Alternatives such as "is misinterpreted by" or "is not understood by" can be used to fine-tune the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is misinterpreted by

Focuses on the incorrect interpretation of something.

is misconstrued by

Emphasizes the incorrect construction of meaning.

is not understood by

States a simple lack of comprehension.

is wrongly perceived by

Highlights the incorrect perception of something.

is falsely viewed by

Indicates an incorrect viewpoint or opinion.

is inaccurately portrayed by

Focuses on the incorrect depiction or representation.

is poorly grasped by

Emphasizes a weak or incomplete understanding.

is inadequately comprehended by

Highlights the insufficient comprehension of something.

is mistakenly believed by

Focuses on the incorrect belief or assumption.

is erroneously conceived by

Indicates an incorrect conception or idea.

FAQs

What does "is misunderstood by" mean?

It means that something is not being correctly or accurately understood by someone or a group of people. It indicates a lack of proper comprehension.

How can I use "is misunderstood by" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where a concept, person, or idea is not being properly understood. For example: "The theory "is misunderstood by" many due to its complexity."

What are some alternatives to "is misunderstood by"?

Alternatives include "is misinterpreted by", "is misconstrued by", or "is not understood by". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "is misunderstood by" or "is not understood by"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "is misunderstood by" implies that some level of understanding exists, but it's incorrect. "Is not understood by" simply states a lack of comprehension.