mislead them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mislead them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of causing someone to have a false impression or understanding about something. Example: "The advertisement was designed to mislead them into thinking the product was more effective than it actually was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

We did not mislead them.

The Guardian

Don't take advantage of consultants Or deliberately mislead them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The family claim police initially tried to mislead them in the immediate aftermath.

The Guardian

Almost three-quarters of consumers believe supermarkets are trying to mislead them with confusing pricing practices, a watchdog has found.

Independent

In a later appearance before committee members, Mr. Mueller said he had not intended to mislead them.

The New York Times

Investors also took exception to what they saw as attempts by management to mislead them about the company's health.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

But the map misled them.

The New York Times

I misled them," he said.

The Guardian

Hartnett has denied deliberately misleading them.

The Guardian

"But it wasn't Obama who misled them.

The New York Times

When Lowry spoke, she told them the principal was misleading them.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mislead them", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the misleading and who is being misled. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "mislead them" when you mean someone made an honest mistake. "Mislead" implies intentional deception, while a mistake is unintentional.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mislead them" is a transitive verb phrase, where "mislead" is the verb and "them" is the direct object. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mislead them" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the act of causing a group of people to have a false belief or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media", it carries a neutral tone suitable for diverse forms of communication. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the actors involved to maintain clarity. Alternatives like "deceive them" or "trick them" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deceive them

A more formal and direct synonym for causing someone to believe something false.

misinform them

Implies providing incorrect information, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

fool them

Suggests tricking someone in a playful or less serious way.

trick them

Implies using cunning or deception to achieve a goal.

dupe them

A more forceful term suggesting someone is easily tricked.

hoodwink them

A slightly old-fashioned term for deceiving or tricking.

take them for a ride

An idiomatic expression suggesting exploitation through deception.

lead them astray

Suggests guiding someone away from the correct path, often morally.

pull the wool over their eyes

An idiomatic phrase meaning to deceive someone.

bamboozle them

Informal term suggesting elaborate deception.

FAQs

What does "mislead them" mean?

"Mislead them" means to cause someone to have a wrong idea or impression about something, often intentionally.

What are some alternatives to "mislead them"?

You can use alternatives such as "deceive them", "misinform them", or "trick them" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "mislead them" in a sentence?

Example: "The company was accused of trying to "mislead them" about the safety of the product."

What is the difference between "mislead them" and "confuse them"?

"Mislead them" implies an intent to deceive, while "confuse them" suggests causing uncertainty or lack of understanding, which may not be intentional.