misinterpreted by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "misinterpreted by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a misunderstanding or incorrect interpretation of something by a person or group. Example: "The message was misinterpreted by the audience, leading to confusion about the speaker's intent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It got misinterpreted by the nationalists," von Notz told me.

The New Yorker

"It should not be taken out of context and misinterpreted by a hostile press".

The Guardian

"I regret that we were misinterpreted by the media," she said.

The New Yorker

Abrasions had been misinterpreted by Ramallah doctors as burns, Dr. Milroy said.

The New York Times

However, Hunt stood by his words, claiming their intent had been "wilfully misinterpreted" by others.

The Guardian

Mr. MacShane added that Mr. Köhler's remarks were "grotesquely and cynically misinterpreted by the German press".

The New York Times

"Our decision has been misunderstood and misinterpreted by some," the group said.

The New York Times

"I don't want to say anything that is misinterpreted by anyone around us," he added.

Independent

Mr. Brooks's memorandum said that those instructions were "appropriate cautions" and had been misinterpreted by the inspector general.

The New York Times

This is, of course, totally misinterpreted by the crowd around him and especially by the kid's family.

The Guardian - Books

"Could it be that incentivisation is a positive thing and could be misinterpreted by patients?" he asked.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "misinterpreted by", ensure that the subject being misinterpreted and the agent doing the misinterpreting are clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, be specific about what "the data" or "the statement" was and who "the researchers" or "the public" are.

Common error

Avoid generalizing the group doing the misinterpreting. Instead of saying "misinterpreted by the public", specify which segment of the public held the incorrect interpretation, like "misinterpreted by some viewers" or "misinterpreted by a section of the online community".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "misinterpreted by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject (an idea, statement, action, etc.) has been wrongly understood or explained. It emphasizes the recipient of the misinterpretation, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "misinterpreted by" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that something has been wrongly understood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is applicable in numerous contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific writing. When employing this phrase, precision is key: clearly define both the subject being misinterpreted and the agent responsible for the misinterpretation. While alternatives like ""misunderstood by"" exist, "misinterpreted by" often carries a stronger sense of active misjudgment. This expression finds itself most frequently in news and scientific domains. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, one can effectively use "misinterpreted by" to convey nuanced meaning and ensure clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misunderstood by

Replaces "misinterpreted" with "misunderstood", a direct synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality.

incorrectly understood by

Substitutes "misinterpreted" with a more explicit phrase, clarifying the nature of the misunderstanding.

wrongly perceived by

Focuses on the perception aspect of misinterpretation, emphasizing the incorrect understanding.

taken the wrong way by

Uses a more informal idiom to convey that something was misunderstood, often with negative connotations.

distorted by

Highlights how something has been altered or twisted in its interpretation.

subject to misinterpretation by

Emphasizes the potential for misunderstanding inherent in the subject matter.

inaccurately represented by

Focuses on the inaccurate portrayal resulting from misinterpretation.

twisted by

Suggests a deliberate manipulation or alteration of the original meaning.

garbled by

Indicates that the message was unclear or confusing, leading to misinterpretation.

poorly received by

Emphasizes a negative response or understanding due to misinterpretation, often in a social context.

FAQs

What does "misinterpreted by" mean?

The phrase "misinterpreted by" means that something has been understood or explained incorrectly by someone or a group of people. It indicates a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of facts, intentions, or meanings.

How can I use "misinterpreted by" in a sentence?

You can use "misinterpreted by" to indicate who or what group of entities incorrectly understood the facts. For example: "The author's comment was "misunderstood by" many readers."

What are some alternatives to "misinterpreted by"?

Some alternatives include: "misunderstood by", "wrongly perceived by", or "incorrectly understood by". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "misinterpreted by" and "misunderstood by"?

While similar, "misinterpreted by" often suggests an active process of incorrect interpretation, whereas "misunderstood by" implies a more passive lack of comprehension. In many cases, they are interchangeable, but "misinterpreted" can carry a stronger connotation of active misjudgment. They share a high degree of similarity and interchangeability.