misinterpret that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "misinterpret that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a misunderstanding or incorrect interpretation of something previously stated or presented. Example: "I think you might misinterpret that statement; it was meant to be taken humorously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"An Iranian boat comes close to an American ship in a mock attack, the ship takes a warning shot, the Iranians misinterpret that and fire back, killing some American sailors," Dr. Crist said.

The New York Times

The state form asks, "Have you ever been adjudicated mentally defective or have you ever been court committed to a mental institution?" "It's up to an individual to answer correctly, a lot of people misinterpret that.

The New York Times

Sometimes people misinterpret that.

The New York Times

And no one should misinterpret that for hostility".

The New Yorker

Other times, I would misinterpret that [behaviour], especially if there were cameras around.

The Guardian - Music

Unless we misinterpret that sentence drastically, it means that the editors of the New Masses have taken to confronting public figures in the Stork Club, Just like Commander Winchell.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

There is no way of misinterpreting that.

Vice

Maybe he had misinterpreted that laugh, Mr. Dutton said later.

The New York Times

Now, he'd misinterpreted that," Gen. Secord said, & the previously sombre audience erupted into laughter.

The New Yorker

"We have no idea how Ms. Weingarten misinterpreted that inquiry as a charge of misconduct".

The New York Times

Now, he'd misinterpreted that," Gen. Secord said, & the previously sombre audience erupted into laughter..

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "misinterpret that", ensure the context clearly identifies what "that" refers to, preventing ambiguity for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "misinterpret that" if the original statement or action was genuinely unclear. Instead, focus on clarifying the initial communication, rather than implying the reader's misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "misinterpret that" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of incorrectly understanding or assigning a wrong meaning to something previously mentioned. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English, as demonstrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "misinterpret that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate an incorrect understanding of something previously stated or implied. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Usage ranges from news articles and scientific publications to more informal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in your original statement to prevent genuine ambiguity, and consider alternatives like "misunderstand that" or "get that wrong" depending on the context. Overall, "misinterpret that" is a useful tool for addressing potential or actual misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misunderstand that

Focuses on a general failure to comprehend, rather than a specific misinterpretation.

get that wrong

A more direct and informal way of saying something was understood incorrectly.

take that the wrong way

Emphasizes a negative emotional response to a misunderstanding.

incorrectly assume that

Highlights the act of making a wrong assumption.

falsely conclude that

Focuses on reaching an incorrect conclusion based on faulty reasoning.

perceive that inaccurately

Stresses the inaccurate perception of a situation or statement.

misconceive that

Implies a fundamental misunderstanding or a flawed concept.

misread that

Suggests a misinterpretation based on a superficial understanding.

distort that

Highlights how the original information got twisted or changed

misconstrue that

Suggests a deliberate misinterpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "misinterpret that" in a sentence?

You can use "misinterpret that" to indicate that someone has understood something incorrectly. For example: "I'm concerned people might "misinterpret that" statement if I don't provide further context."

What's a more formal alternative to "misinterpret that"?

A more formal alternative could be "incorrectly assume that" or "falsely conclude that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. These options offer a more professional tone compared to the directness of ""misinterpret that"".

Is it better to say "misinterpret that" or "misunderstand that"?

Both ""misinterpret that"" and "misunderstand that" are grammatically correct. "Misinterpret" suggests a more active or nuanced misunderstanding, while "misunderstand" is a more general term for simply not understanding something correctly.

When should I avoid using the phrase "misinterpret that"?

Avoid using ""misinterpret that"" if you are unsure whether the misunderstanding stems from your own lack of clarity. It's crucial to ensure the original message was clear before implying someone else misinterpreted it.