make misleading statements

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make misleading statements" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of providing information that is intentionally deceptive or not entirely truthful. Example: "The politician was accused of making misleading statements during the debate to sway public opinion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

MR. BRADLEY Look, in politics sometimes people make misleading statements because they don't know any better.

The New York Times

It's one thing for a senator to make misleading statements, but the attorney general is in charge of the departments that analyze crime statistics.

The New York Times

ICP has denied the S.E.C.'s allegations in court filings and said that the company acted in good faith, did not make misleading statements and did not intend to defraud its investors.

The New York Times

A federal judge ruled earlier this month on a lawsuit by the group that disputed additional regulations on the for-profit higher education industry: rules meant to hold schools accountable for recruiters who make misleading statements to prospective students, and rules meant to crack down on bonuses and raises given to recruiters based on the number of students enrolled.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Lim faces five charges, including making misleading statements.

The New York Times

Mr. Kirk has acknowledged that he has made misleading statements about his service.

The New York Times

He made misleading statements about these meetings, which were later disproved.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Sessions had his own problems, after making misleading statements to the Senate about his Russian contacts).

The New Yorker

Superior claimed that Health Net made misleading statements about Business Insurance's financial reserves.

The New York Times

They have compounded the problem by continually making misleading statements about their agencies' authorities and activities.

The Guardian - Opinion

The transit agency also appears to have made misleading statements about the level of public support for the project.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing sensitive topics, use "make misleading statements" to denote a deliberate attempt to deceive, rather than simply stating an error occurred. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "make misleading statements" when a simpler term like "make inaccurate claims" or "provide incorrect information" would suffice, especially when there is no evidence of deliberate deception. Overusing the phrase can create unnecessary accusations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make misleading statements" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a clause. It describes an action performed by a subject, indicating the act of conveying information that is deceptive or inaccurate. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make misleading statements" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily found in news and media contexts, to describe the act of providing deceptive or inaccurate information. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While the phrase is generally neutral to formal, its impact is significant, often implying a deliberate intent to deceive, especially in legal, political, or business environments. When writing, consider the context and whether simpler, less accusatory terms might be more appropriate if intent is not clear. Alternatives such as "disseminate false information" or "issue inaccurate reports" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disseminate false information

Focuses on the act of spreading untrue data, emphasizing the distribution aspect rather than the creation or intent.

promulgate deceptive claims

Emphasizes the formal or widespread communication of assertions intended to deceive.

purvey misinformation

Highlights the distribution of incorrect information, often with the potential to mislead or misinform.

utter falsehoods

Highlights the act of speaking untruths, often in a direct or explicit manner.

propagate untruths

Stresses the act of spreading inaccurate information, highlighting its proliferation.

issue inaccurate reports

Focuses on the release of reports that contain incorrect data, without necessarily implying intent to deceive.

fabricate stories

Indicates the creation of entirely made-up narratives, often with the intent to deceive or entertain.

present a distorted picture

Implies a skewed or biased representation of facts, rather than outright lies.

give a false impression

Focuses on the unintended creation of a mistaken belief, which may not involve explicit falsehoods.

circulate rumors

Focuses on the distribution of unverified information, rather than confirmed falsehoods.

FAQs

What is the difference between "misleading statements" and lies?

"Misleading statements" involve presenting information that could lead to a false conclusion, while lies are direct untruths. The former may involve omitting key details or presenting facts in a skewed manner, whereas the latter is a direct contradiction of the truth.

How can I use "make misleading statements" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone intentionally providing information that leads others to a wrong conclusion. For instance, "The CEO was accused of "make misleading statements" to investors about the company's financial health."

What are some alternatives to "make misleading statements"?

Alternatives include "disseminate false information", "issue inaccurate reports", or "propagate untruths", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is "make misleading statements" formal or informal language?

"Make misleading statements" is considered neutral to formal. It is appropriate for news reports, legal documents, and business communications, while also being understandable in more informal contexts. The formality depends largely on the surrounding language and situation.