misapplication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "misapplication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the incorrect or inappropriate use of something, such as a rule, principle, or method. Example: "The misapplication of the law led to an unjust outcome in the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But with telecoms in a slump, there may not be many buyers.Xerox restated its accounts in June because the office-equipment company said that a so-called "misapplication of GAAP" (generally accepted accounting standards) overstated its profits by $1.4 billion over five years.

The Economist

The inspectors, they note, focused on grey areas, such as the calculation of the fair value of assets, that could be criticised by anybody who looked hard enough for a potential misapplication of accounting rules.Nonetheless, the findings might foster better auditing simply by bringing the industry into the public eye.

The Economist

Even if there was no fraudulent intent and the problems stem from a misunderstanding of the rules rather than knowing misapplication, the apparent scale of the error suggests that, at the very least, Tesco's internal controls need a thorough overhaul.

The Economist

The restated accounts, which the company filed on June 28th, show that this "misapplication of GAAP", as Xerox calls it, overstated profits by $1.4 billion between 1997 and 2001.

The Economist

Sticking foot-pedals and floor mats accounted for some of the mishaps, but most were caused by "pedal misapplication", or motorists mistaking the accelerator for the brake.

The Economist

We now have capital-gains taxes that are just over half as high as in the old dystopian socialist days of Ronald Reagan's economy.If higher capital-gains taxes led to lazy management and widespread misapplication of capital, you would have expected American businesses to have become vastly better managed and more efficient starting in 2003.

The Economist

In addition, stretching the meaning of certain terms in the definition, such as a group "in part" and "destroy," also suggests a misapplication of the word "genocide".

The Economist

The application, or rather misapplication, of the Greek names dates from a 9th-century treatise attributed to the monk Hucbald.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Throughout his career, which remained centred at Oxford, he attempted as Waynflete Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy (1945 68), in his writings, and as editor (1948 71) of the journal Mind to dissipate confusion arising from the misapplication of language.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sir Nicholas Serota, the director of Tate Galleries, warned that creative freedoms were being "usurped by special interests, misunderstandings or misapplication of the law", when he addressed a summit of 220 British cultural leaders, sponsors and religious groups convened to tackle the issue of self-censorship.

Independent

Other forms of misuse or misapplication of social media within the workplace could, too, have serious detrimental effects on the business brand and reputation.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the consequences of incorrect procedures or laws, use "misapplication" to precisely convey that the issue stems from the incorrect application, not necessarily the inherent flaws of the procedure or law itself.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "misapplication" with "misuse". "Misapplication" refers specifically to applying something incorrectly, whereas "misuse" is a broader term referring to using something in an inappropriate or unintended way.

Linguistic Context

The noun "misapplication" functions to denote the act of incorrectly applying something. This can range from rules and laws to skills and tools. Ludwig confirms that "misapplication" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

51%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "misapplication" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that describes the act of incorrectly applying something. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable in written English. The phrase is most often encountered in news articles, scientific papers, and encyclopedias, where precise language is crucial for conveying errors in judgment or process. When writing, it is vital to distinguish "misapplication" from the broader term "misuse". The word denotes a specific type of error. Using "misapplication" effectively requires understanding its nuance and applying it to contexts where there is a clear, identifiable error in how something was applied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improper use

Focuses on the incorrect or unsuitable way something is utilized.

incorrect application

Emphasizes the wrong method of applying something.

faulty implementation

Highlights errors in putting a plan or system into effect.

erroneous employment

Stresses the mistake in using something, especially a skill or resource.

abuse

Signifies a more severe form of misuse, often implying harm.

perversion

Suggests a twisting or corruption of the original intent or purpose.

distortion

Implies an alteration or misrepresentation that leads to incorrect usage.

inappropriate handling

Highlights that something has not been correctly managed or controlled.

flawed execution

Focuses on errors that occurred during the carrying out of a plan or process.

negligent management

Highlights careless or irresponsible handling that leads to misuse.

FAQs

How can I use "misapplication" in a sentence?

You can use "misapplication" to describe instances where a rule, law, or concept is applied incorrectly. For example: "The court found the conviction to be a result of the "misapplication" of the law".

What are some synonyms for "misapplication"?

Alternatives to "misapplication" include "improper use", "incorrect application", and "faulty implementation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "misapplication" and "misuse"?

"Misapplication" specifically refers to the act of applying something incorrectly, while "misuse" has a broader meaning, encompassing any inappropriate or unintended use. For example, a tool can be misused (used for the wrong task), or a rule can suffer a "misapplication" (applied to the wrong situation).

What are some common contexts where "misapplication" is used?

"Misapplication" is frequently used in contexts related to law, accounting, and technology, where rules, standards, or procedures can be applied incorrectly. For example, you might see it in discussions about the "misapplication" of accounting principles or the "misapplication" of a legal statute.