is open to misinterpretation

USAGE SUMMARY

'is open to misinterpretation' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a situation or idea that could potentially be misunderstood in multiple ways. For example, "His statement about the company's future plans is open to misinterpretation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The treaty is too vague and is open to misinterpretation.

The Guardian - Tech

Notably, if you're just like "I'm outta here" and don't stick around to explain, your move is open to misinterpretation.

The Guardian - Opinion

He added that the relatively low number of people who moved on to take out a Green Deal loan is open to misinterpretation.

The Guardian - Money

Pictures without words are often ambiguous; words without pictures, lame.' He laid the lie that 'a picture is worth a thousand words' by insisting that without the added context, an image is open to misinterpretation, even to deliberate misuse.

The Guardian

The second problem is that the term "sympathy" is open to misinterpretation: while one person might take this to mean that they share the opinion of those going to fight, a second could simply mean that they understood on an emotional level that someone would choose to do so.

The Guardian

"There's a good reason to take it seriously because it is open to misinterpretation.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The original subheading was open to misinterpretation.

The Guardian

"It's open to misinterpretation and gives the appearance of impropriety," he said.

The New York Times

In the end, we opted for the studio portrait rather than the candid, afraid that images of cruelty or deprivation would be open to misinterpretation.

The Guardian

The BBC has conceded that the programme may have been open to misinterpretation and has since decided not to repeat the show.

The Guardian

On a day when extremist groups of varying persuasions were descending on Luton, his words were open to misinterpretation at best, and at worst were potentially inflammatory.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is open to misinterpretation", provide clarifying information or context to minimize potential misunderstandings. For example, follow the statement with specific examples of how it could be misinterpreted.

Common error

Avoid using "is open to misinterpretation" without explaining why it might be misinterpreted. Simply stating that something is open to misinterpretation without further explanation leaves the reader to guess, which can exacerbate the very problem you're trying to address.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is open to misinterpretation" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun or pronoun's susceptibility to being misunderstood. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is open to misinterpretation" is a useful way to point out that a statement, action, or idea could be easily misunderstood. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in a variety of contexts, although it is more common in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources. To use it effectively, provide clarifying information or context to minimize misunderstandings. Alternatives include "subject to misinterpretation" or "prone to misinterpretation". Remember that failing to provide context can create the very issue you are attempting to prevent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be misunderstood

Focuses on the possibility of misunderstanding without explicitly stating it's inherent in the subject.

subject to misinterpretation

Emphasizes that the thing being described is likely to be misinterpreted.

liable to be misunderstood

Highlights the potential risk of misunderstanding.

prone to misinterpretation

Indicates a tendency towards misinterpretation.

easily misunderstood

Highlights how easily someone can misinterpret something.

invites misinterpretation

Suggests that the subject matter almost encourages being misunderstood.

can be taken the wrong way

Focuses more on the negative consequences that can arise from misunderstanding.

not clearly defined

Shifts the focus to a lack of clarity as a cause for potential misunderstanding.

leaves room for misinterpretation

Emphasizes that it is not clearly explained so people can make interpretations.

gives rise to misunderstandings

Implies that something is the source of misunderstandings.

FAQs

How can I use "is open to misinterpretation" in a sentence?

You can use "is open to misinterpretation" to describe statements, actions, or concepts that could be easily misunderstood. For example, "The contract's vague wording is open to misinterpretation, which could lead to legal disputes."

What are some synonyms for "is open to misinterpretation"?

Alternatives to "is open to misinterpretation" include "subject to misinterpretation", "liable to be misunderstood", or "prone to misinterpretation", each carrying slightly different nuances.

How do I prevent my message from being "open to misinterpretation"?

To prevent your message from being "open to misinterpretation", use clear and concise language, provide sufficient context, and anticipate potential misunderstandings. Consider having someone else review your message for clarity before sharing it.

What's the difference between "is open to interpretation" and "is open to misinterpretation"?

"Is open to interpretation" suggests that something can have multiple valid understandings, while "is open to misinterpretation" implies that it's likely to be understood incorrectly. The latter has a more negative connotation.