misapprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

'misapprehension' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a misunderstanding, either of a particular situation or of another person's intentions, beliefs or actions. For example: "There was a misapprehension between the two parties that caused the disagreement".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Once that misapprehension was planted in his mind, Mr Jerome's reaction to it was entirely understandable.

The Guardian - Sport

According to a recent poll, the average American is under the misapprehension that about 25% of the budget goes on foreign aid.

The Economist

Poor school education in many countries leaves minds open to misapprehension.

The Economist

When a player's whole posture was considered, this misapprehension went away: if a volunteer could see everything about a player from the table up there was no correlation between his judgments of a hand's value and its actual value.

The Economist

This misapprehension, known to economists as the "lump of labour fallacy", was once used to argue that women should stay at home and leave all the jobs for breadwinning males.

The Economist

The 35-hour-week rules were based on the misapprehension that there is a fixed amount of work to be shared out.

The Economist

A wide misapprehension, she says, is a belief that India is Buddhist.

The Economist

But as it happens, North Carolina law requires cars to have only one working brake light, so Mr Darisse's original decision to stop the suspiciously steered Escort was based on a legal misapprehension.

The Economist

Yet the same story appeared so ridiculous to the University of Cape Town, staff say, that they did not trouble to deny it.To report this misapprehension is doubly sad, apart from our own regret at being caught up in it.

The Economist

After rains brought temporary relief in Antwerp, the Gazette van Antwerpen reported that public prayers were held to bring more.Alarm and misapprehension were not confined to the illiterate.

The Economist

Many are under the misapprehension that it is a vote to authorise new spending, not permission to pay the bills that this and earlier Congresses have already run up.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "misapprehension", clearly state what the correct understanding should be to avoid further confusion.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience is aware of the "misapprehension" you are addressing. Provide sufficient context and explanation to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "misapprehension" functions as a noun, typically referring to a state of misunderstanding or a mistaken belief. It is often used to identify and correct inaccurate perceptions, as evidenced by examples found through Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "misapprehension" is a noun denoting a failure to understand something correctly. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. Its function is to clarify misunderstandings, serving a neutral register. To ensure effective communication, when using "misapprehension", provide context and avoid assuming shared understanding. Alternatives include "misunderstanding" and "misconception", each offering slightly different nuances. By using it correctly and providing enough context, you contribute to clearer and more accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misunderstanding

Focuses on a failure to correctly understand something.

misconception

Emphasizes a view or opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty thinking or understanding.

illusion

Highlights a false idea or belief.

delusion

Suggests a belief that is held despite evidence to the contrary, often implying a more extreme or pathological state.

error in perception

Directly points to a mistake in how something is seen or understood.

flawed interpretation

Indicates that the understanding of something is incorrect due to mistakes made while interpreting it.

false impression

Highlights the creation of an incorrect belief or feeling about something.

incorrect assumption

Focuses on the act of wrongly taking something for granted without proof.

faulty premise

Pinpoints an incorrect basis for a line of reasoning or argument.

erroneous belief

Stresses the incorrectness of a held conviction or opinion.

FAQs

How can I use "misapprehension" in a sentence?

You can use "misapprehension" to describe a failure to understand something. For instance, "The argument stemmed from a complete misapprehension of the facts."

What's a good synonym for "misapprehension"?

A good synonym for "misapprehension" is "misunderstanding", which also denotes a failure to understand something correctly.

What is the difference between "misapprehension" and "misconception"?

"Misapprehension" generally refers to a specific instance of misunderstanding, while "misconception" implies a more general or widely held incorrect belief.

Is "misapprehension" a formal word?

Yes, "misapprehension" is generally considered a formal word and is suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts.