misunderstand that

USAGE SUMMARY

"misunderstand that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has been previously mentioned that has been misunderstood. For example: "The speaker's point was lost when the audience misunderstood that he was advocating for change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"People misunderstand that.

The New Yorker

I think people misunderstand that".

The Guardian

Foreigners tend to misunderstand that.

The Guardian

JOHNSON: Well, because people misunderstand that.

The Washington Post

Your readers can misunderstand that Mr. Gul and his wife represent the majority of Turkish nation.

The Economist

He also believes Israel and the US may misunderstand that Mr Abbas "cannot give more than Arafat did.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Don't misunderstand me: that must be the duty of any criminal justice system.

The Guardian

"But what they misunderstand is that what the polls got wrong in Britain was turnout, not issues.

The Guardian - Opinion

What you seem to misunderstand is that failing passage by our elected representatives and doing it anyway is rule by fiat, not democracy.

BBC

The CBI Officer also misunderstands, believing that Cherry is responsible for the two murders, although Siddharth is the real murderer.

Wikipedia

If she really misunderstands drag that deeply, maybe she should try spending a little less time with Sam Brownback and a little more time around other gay people.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "misunderstand that" when clarifying a previous statement or correcting a common misinterpretation. It's useful for addressing potential confusion in your audience's understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "misunderstand that" in simple declarative sentences where a straightforward statement would suffice. For instance, instead of saying "Many misunderstand that the Earth is flat", simply state "Many believe the Earth is flat" unless you are directly addressing and correcting a previous claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "misunderstand that" functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It indicates a failure to correctly comprehend a specific concept or idea. Ludwig shows various examples from news and media to scientific articles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

18%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "misunderstand that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase designed to address and correct misconceptions. Ludwig AI confirms it is acceptable. Its purpose is to clarify potentially confusing concepts and ideas. The phrase sees consistent use across news, scientific, and academic contexts, maintaining a neutral formality suitable for wide dissemination. When writing, consider alternatives to refine your message and prevent overuse in simple, declarative sentences. With a high source quality score and common usage patterns, understanding how to employ this phrase effectively will refine any piece of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail to grasp that

Replaces "misunderstand" with a more formal expression, focusing on a failure to comprehend.

are under the false impression that

A more elaborate and formal way of expressing a mistaken belief.

have a misconception that

Highlights the presence of a flawed concept.

incorrectly assume that

Highlights the assumption aspect of misunderstanding, suggesting a false premise.

are mistaken in thinking that

Focuses on the error in the thought process leading to the misunderstanding.

get the wrong idea that

An informal alternative, emphasizing the acquisition of a false notion.

overlook the fact that

Emphasizes the act of neglecting an important detail.

take it the wrong way that

Implies that the piece of information was received badly and misinterpreted.

don't realize that

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on a lack of awareness.

are unaware that

Focuses on a lack of knowledge regarding something.

FAQs

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

Use "misunderstand that" to clarify a point that's commonly misinterpreted, as in, "People often "misunderstand that" geishas are prostitutes."

What are some alternatives to "misunderstand that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "fail to grasp that", "incorrectly assume that", or "are under the false impression that", depending on the desired tone and emphasis.

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

While both can be grammatically correct, "misunderstand that" typically refers back to a specific idea or concept previously mentioned. "Misunderstand this" is more appropriate when referring to an immediate, present statement.

What's the difference between "misunderstand that" and "misinterpret that"?

"Misunderstand that" generally means failing to grasp the correct meaning, while "misinterpret that" implies understanding it in a wrong or unintended way. Misinterpreting often involves actively assigning an incorrect meaning.