misunderstood by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "misunderstood by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone has not correctly interpreted or comprehended something said or done by another person. Example: "Her intentions were often misunderstood by her colleagues, leading to unnecessary conflicts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Conroy is misunderstood by many.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, it's very misunderstood by consumers".

The New York Times - Food

Yes, the Hungarian government is misunderstood – by itself.

The New York Times

"It was misunderstood by a lot of people," Dolenz says.

The Guardian - Music

REIT's are misunderstood by many investors, Mr. Powers said.

The New York Times

"I think it's misunderstood by a lot of people.

The Guardian - Arts

"He was misunderstood by people," Father Haefner said.

The New York Times

For him, it's about feeling misunderstood by the fashion pack.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Houts added: "The cops feel misunderstood by the public.

The New York Times

Interiors as they relate to landscape or cityscape are sometimes misunderstood by architects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even educational programming with messages of empathy can be misunderstood by preschoolers, with negative consequences.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "misunderstood by", ensure the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of 'The concept was misunderstood', specify 'The concept was misunderstood by the students'.

Common error

Avoid using "misunderstood by" without providing context or specifying who is doing the misunderstanding. Statements like 'It's often misunderstood' lack clarity. Instead, specify the group or individual doing the misunderstanding for better comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "misunderstood by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject has been incorrectly or incompletely understood by an agent. It emphasizes the receiver of the misunderstanding, rather than the source. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid and commonly used construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "misunderstood by" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to express a lack of accurate comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify who is doing the misunderstanding to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "misinterpreted by" or "not grasped by" exist, "misunderstood by" offers a general and widely accepted way to communicate a failure in understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misinterpreted by

Emphasizes an incorrect interpretation of something.

not grasped by

Focuses on a lack of comprehension.

poorly understood by

Highlights the inadequate level of understanding.

wrongly perceived by

Suggests an inaccurate perception or impression.

falsely assumed by

Indicates a wrong assumption made by someone.

taken the wrong way by

Highlights that something was received negatively due to misinterpretation.

not appreciated by

Emphasizes a failure to recognize the value or importance.

underestimated by

Focuses on valuing someone or something too low.

overlooked by

Focuses on not noticing or considering something.

ignored by

Highlights a deliberate disregard or lack of attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "misunderstood by" to indicate that someone has incorrectly interpreted something. For example, "His intentions were often misunderstood by his colleagues." or "The new policy was misunderstood by many employees."

What can I say instead of "misunderstood by"?

You can use alternatives like "misinterpreted by", "not grasped by", or "poorly understood by" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "misunderstood by" or "misinterpreted by"?

Both "misunderstood by" and "misinterpreted by" are correct, but "misunderstood by" generally refers to a lack of complete understanding, while "misinterpreted by" suggests an active, incorrect interpretation.

What does it mean when someone says they feel "misunderstood by" others?

It typically means they feel that their thoughts, feelings, or intentions are not being accurately perceived or appreciated by the people around them. This can lead to feelings of isolation or frustration.