major misapprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major misapprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant misunderstanding or incorrect interpretation of a situation or concept. Example: "The team's failure to meet the deadline was due to a major misapprehension of the project's requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Part of the major misapprehension internationally about what is happening here comes from bad ideas about how change happens.

Vice

The appearance of the proem in 1956 actually led to a major misapprehension, for the list of gods found therein, beginning with Zeus and proceeding through the divine Heracles, led some to believe that the Catalogue was not organized in a strictly genealogical manner, but presented the unions of gods and heroines organized to some extent by amorous deity.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And the silences and misapprehensions that can arise, perpetuate and sometimes cause major but unintentional harm in families is a revisit to a theme of hers that I can certainly relate to.

The Guardian - Books

Gee's writing is full of such encounters - not major racial flashpoints so much as the unavoidable collisions and misapprehensions that occur when people of different cultures rub shoulders in the street.

The Guardian - Books

This was a misapprehension.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is a fundamental misapprehension.

The New Yorker

This is a common misapprehension.

The New York Times

This misapprehension is rather universal among men.

The Guardian - Opinion

But that is a fundamental misapprehension.

The Guardian - Opinion

Let's get another misapprehension straight.

The Guardian - Opinion

This misapprehension lasted for about 10 seconds.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major misapprehension", ensure the context clearly defines what the misunderstanding pertains to and why it is significant. Providing specific details will enhance clarity and prevent further confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "major misapprehension" when a simpler misunderstanding is more accurate. Overusing intensifiers can dilute the impact of the phrase when it's genuinely needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major misapprehension" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies and labels a significant misunderstanding, as supported by Ludwig's examples that highlight the importance of understanding and clarify misconceptions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major misapprehension" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant misunderstanding. Ludwig confirms it as grammatically correct, though relatively rare. Its primary function is to identify crucial errors in understanding, often found in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. To enhance clarity when using this phrase, it's essential to specify the nature and impact of the misunderstanding. Alternatives include "significant misconception" and "serious misunderstanding". As Ludwig AI demonstrates, being precise about the misunderstanding will help avoiding communication issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant misconception

Replaces "misapprehension" with "misconception", suggesting a belief formed on incorrect information.

serious misunderstanding

Emphasizes the gravity of the misunderstanding by using "serious" instead of "major".

grave error in judgment

Focuses on the flawed decision-making process resulting from the misunderstanding.

fundamental fallacy

Highlights the underlying false belief or idea that is incorrect.

critical misinterpretation

Focuses on the act of interpreting something incorrectly, leading to a significant error.

profound delusion

Suggests a more deeply rooted and persistent false belief, implying a stronger deviation from reality.

gross distortion of facts

Emphasizes how the facts have been twisted or misrepresented, leading to a major misunderstanding.

severe cognitive distortion

Highlights the mental process of altering or misinterpreting information, emphasizing the severity.

large-scale misconception

Focuses on the scope and breadth of the misconception, rather than the nature of it being major.

widespread misunderstanding

Implies that the misunderstanding is common among a group of people.

FAQs

What does "major misapprehension" mean?

The phrase "major misapprehension" refers to a significant misunderstanding or incorrect interpretation of something. It implies a substantial error in understanding that can lead to flawed conclusions or actions.

How can I use "major misapprehension" in a sentence?

You can use "major misapprehension" to describe situations where a large-scale misunderstanding exists, like, "The project's failure resulted from a "major misapprehension" of the client's requirements."

What are some alternatives to "major misapprehension"?

Alternatives to "major misapprehension" include "significant misconception", "serious misunderstanding", or "fundamental fallacy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "major misapprehension" or "minor misapprehension"?

The choice between "major misapprehension" and "minor misapprehension" depends on the scale and impact of the misunderstanding. Use "major" when the misunderstanding has significant consequences and "minor" when the misunderstanding is relatively insignificant.