misrepresentation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "misrepresentation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone has provided false or misleading information about something. Example: "The company faced legal action due to the misrepresentation of its financial statements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What I didn't expect was the level of misunderstanding and misrepresentation - not only in general but also from journalists and industry experts.

The Guardian - Tech

Police in the emerging economic power have now launched an investigation into Uber to establish if charges can be brought against the US-based firm for misrepresentation.

The Guardian

Asked about the modelling during question time, the prime minister said this omission meant the modelling was "a fraudulent misrepresentation" of the government's budget because returning people to work was "the whole point of the policy measures".

The Guardian

Ugandan writer Angelo Opi-Aiya Izama wrote on his blog: "To call the campaign a misrepresentation is an understatement... its portrayal of his alleged crimes in northern Uganda are from a bygone era".

The Guardian

It should anger and worry all nationalists when Sinn Fein's propaganda only goes to corroborate that misrepresentation of the good motives of the north's nationalists.' On crime and the IRA, Durkan added: 'Democratic Ireland can tell you what a crime is.

The Guardian

In Uganda many have seen it as a misrepresentation of conflict and attempt to bring down the conflict just to American action, ignoring other actors.

The Guardian

"Further, the website's terms of use prohibit engaging in deceptive activities, including misrepresentation of affiliation.

The Guardian

In a speech in 1930, Baldwin denounced "falsehood, misrepresentation and half-truths" in the two papers, accusing their owners of seeking "power without responsibility – the prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages", remarks which, according to one account, caused reporters "to jump out of their skins to a man".

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a misrepresentation of me".

The Guardian - Tech

Would Barack Obama pick Susan Rice, currently America's ambassador to the United Nations, in spite of her embarrassing misrepresentation of the recent murder of American diplomats in Libya?

The Economist

Intolerance seems to ail Nigeria rather than misrepresentation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "misrepresentation" to describe instances where accuracy and truthfulness are essential.

Common error

Avoid using "misrepresentation" interchangeably with terms like "mistake" or "error" when there's a clear intent to deceive. "Misrepresentation" implies a deliberate act.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "misrepresentation" is as a noun. It typically refers to an instance or act of representing something falsely or inaccurately. Ludwig confirms the phrase's usability in scenarios requiring accurate communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "misrepresentation" is a commonly used noun that refers to the act of presenting something inaccurately or falsely. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in contexts such as news, scientific discussions, and formal business communications. When writing, it's crucial to use "misrepresentation" when there's a need to highlight a discrepancy between presented facts and the truth, especially in situations where accuracy is paramount. Be mindful of potential confusion with similar terms like "mistake", as "misrepresentation" often carries an implication of intent. Exploring synonyms like "false representation" and "deceptive portrayal" can enrich your vocabulary and provide more precise ways to express the concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

false representation

Emphasizes the falseness of the information presented.

deceptive portrayal

Highlights the intent to deceive through the portrayal.

inaccurate account

Focuses on the lack of accuracy in the given account.

distortion of facts

Indicates that the facts have been twisted or altered.

erroneous depiction

Stresses the error in the way something is depicted.

falsification

Highlights the act of making something false.

perversion of truth

Suggests a twisting or corruption of the truth.

unfaithful account

Indicates a lack of faithfulness or accuracy in the account.

deceit

A general term for misleading or tricking someone.

fraudulent statement

Emphasizes the fraudulent nature of the statement.

FAQs

How can I use "misrepresentation" in a sentence?

You can use "misrepresentation" to describe a false or misleading statement. For example: "The lawsuit alleged fraud and "misrepresentation" of facts."

What's the difference between "misrepresentation" and "false statement"?

"Misrepresentation" is a broader term that encompasses any untrue statement, while "false statement" may imply a more direct and explicit lie. A "false statement" is often used in legal contexts to denote a specific, provable lie.

What are some synonyms for "misrepresentation"?

Synonyms for "misrepresentation" include "false representation", "deceptive portrayal", and "inaccurate account". Each has slightly different nuances.

Is "misrepresentation" a formal or informal term?

"Misrepresentation" is generally considered a formal term, often used in legal, business, and academic contexts. In informal settings, simpler terms like "lie" or "falsehood" might be preferred.