laboring under a misconception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laboring under a misconception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is operating based on an incorrect belief or understanding. Example: "He was laboring under a misconception that the project deadline was next month, not this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The filmmakers, laboring under a similar misconception, seem to think that Mr. Samberg is a movie star, and that this sloppy bundle of tired gags is a movie.

The New York Times

Well, if you assume that a TV show's "audience" consists of the people who watch it when it's on, your first conclusion might be that the folks at the WB are laboring under a gross misconception.

The New York Times - Magazine

Modern criticism labors under an aphoristic misconception — or, rather, the misconception of an aphorism — even more grievous than the fixation of mise en scène: a phrase by Martin Scorsese, "Cinema is a matter of what's in the frame and what's out".

The New Yorker

" We in the United States have long labored under a profound misconception of what schnapps is, perhaps largely because of unfortunate associations with frat houses, flaming shots at happy hours and that ungodly, mentholated monstrosity — consumed in Germany, its country of origin, primarily as a digestif — known as Jägermeister.

The New York Times

However, the majority of us labor under a serious misconception that happiness comes from external events.

Huffington Post

The writer seems to be laboring under the misconception that, first and foremost, sex is an educational experience, with the lesson embedded in the kicker of the piece: "The only thing I learn is how to do the walk of shame the day after".

Huffington Post

To be fair, the Apartheid government may well have been laboring under this misconception about itself too.

Forbes

Landrieu provides no names, either of people laboring under this misconception or of people promulgating it.

Huffington Post

It's every bit as futile as the name suggests a hearty laugh in the face of anyone still laboring under the misconception that books are one of humankind's best tools for mind expansion.

Vice

Now, out in the hinterlands, the low-infos are probably still laboring under the misconception that Buffett wants Obamacare to be scrapped, and so you'll get a lot of ALL-CAPS tweets with misspellings about this for a while yet.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "laboring under a misconception", ensure the context clearly indicates that someone is not just mistaken, but actively struggling or making efforts based on a false understanding. It adds a layer of complexity beyond simple error.

Common error

Avoid using "laboring under a misconception" when a simpler "mistakenly believing" would suffice. The phrase implies a significant effort or difficulty due to the incorrect belief; using it lightly weakens its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laboring under a misconception" functions as a participial phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing the state of someone holding an incorrect belief. It suggests an active engagement or struggle influenced by this misconception. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laboring under a misconception" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone who is not merely mistaken, but actively struggling or working based on an incorrect belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and appropriate in various contexts, although it's most frequently found in news, academic, and scientific writing. Related phrases include "operating under a false impression" and "mistakenly believing", but these lack the nuance of effort implied by "laboring". When using the phrase, ensure the context warrants the implication of active struggle, and avoid overstating the difficulty when a simpler phrase would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under a false assumption

Similar to misconception but emphasizes the initial assumption as the source of the error.

operating under a false impression

Focuses on the act of operating based on incorrect information, rather than the struggle implied by "laboring".

mistakenly believing

Directly states the act of believing something that is not true, removing the sense of difficulty.

holding a mistaken belief

States simply that the belief is wrong, without any implication of struggle or effort.

under the illusion that

Highlights the deceptive nature of the false belief, suggesting a pleasant but untrue idea.

having a flawed understanding

Emphasizes the incorrectness of the understanding, rather than the act of struggling with it.

labouring under a delusion

A stronger term than misconception, suggesting a more fixed and irrational belief.

suffering from a delusion

Indicates a more severe and persistent false belief, often with psychological implications.

misled into thinking

Highlights the external influence that caused the false belief, shifting the focus from the individual's effort.

deceived into believing

Suggests active deception, where someone or something intentionally caused the false belief.

FAQs

What does "laboring under a misconception" mean?

It means someone is struggling or working on a false premise or incorrect understanding. It implies effort being misdirected due to the misconception.

How can I use "laboring under a misconception" in a sentence?

Example: "The project team was "laboring under a misconception" about the client's requirements, leading to significant revisions later on."

What are some alternatives to "laboring under a misconception"?

You can use alternatives such as "mistakenly believing", "operating under a false impression", or "under the illusion that", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "laboring under a misconception"?

Yes, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal writing. It follows standard English grammar rules and is widely accepted.