not construed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not construed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that something should not be interpreted or understood in a particular way. Example: "This agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights or obligations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The best design professionals' houses are purely personal — not construed to woo or wow clients.

The New York Times

Loy had earlier told the inquest that he had not construed the email as a directive.

The Guardian

Even something as specific as touching genitalia is not construed as sexual if done for medical reasons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

U.S. statutes are not construed so narrowly as those in England, and there is less reluctance to change the older law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Father O'Shea, who agreed to make limited comments about the incident as long as they were not construed as critical of Bishop DiMarzio, described his relationship with Mr. Lopez as "contentious".

The New York Times

Carlyle Thayer, a Vietnam specialist at the Australian Defence Force Academy, wrote that "Secretary Panetta must be at pains to ensure that any form of stepped-up defence co-operation is not construed by Vietnamese Party conservatives as an attempt to enlist Vietnam into an anti-China containment policy".All is not mutual suspicion however.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I would not construe that as saying that Russia needs to be downgraded, or is irrelevant," Mr. Brzezinski said, but that "we do not need it for everything".

The New York Times

Reached for comment yesterday, Mr. Collins said that Mr. Lay was still prepared to produce the documents "if they will not construe the production as a waiver".

The New York Times

In fact, while the court seasoned its opinion with discussions of canons of statutory construction, even the court acknowledged that it was changing, not construing, the law.

The New York Times

On Page 51, in all capitals, it was written that homeowners shall not construe guards and gates as any representation of safety.

The New York Times - Magazine

By contrast, in line with his project of developing a metaphysics without ontology, Collingwood does not construe the distinction between reasons and causes in this way.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not construed" in legal documents, formal agreements, and official statements to clearly define the intended interpretation and avoid potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "not construed" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "not understood" or "not meant to be seen as" for better clarity and naturalness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not construed" functions as a qualifier, specifically intended to restrict or clarify the interpretation of a statement, action, or document. As Ludwig confirms, it's frequently used to prevent misunderstandings in formal contexts. For example, a clause in a contract might state that "this agreement shall not be construed as creating a partnership."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not construed" is a formal expression used to prevent specific interpretations of a statement or action. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and finds common usage in legal, scientific, and official contexts. Its purpose is to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. When a less formal tone is preferred, alternatives like "not interpreted as" or "not understood as" can be considered. Using "not construed" effectively involves understanding its formal register and applying it judiciously to avoid overuse in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not interpreted as

Focuses on the act of interpretation, suggesting an alternative understanding is possible.

not understood as

Highlights a lack of comprehension or a different way of understanding something.

not regarded as

Emphasizes a lack of consideration in a particular light or role.

not deemed to be

Suggests a formal judgment or assessment is avoided.

not considered as

Implies a deliberate choice to exclude a specific interpretation.

should not be taken as

Directly advises against a particular conclusion or implication.

must not be inferred as

Highlights the importance of avoiding a specific deduction.

cannot be seen as

Focuses on preventing a particular perception or viewpoint.

is not to be represented as

Emphasizes that a particular representation is inaccurate or misleading.

does not equate to

Highlights a lack of equivalence or direct correlation.

FAQs

How can I use "not construed" in a sentence?

The phrase "not construed" is used to clarify that something should not be interpreted in a certain way. For example, "This statement should "not be construed" as an admission of guilt".

What can I say instead of "not construed"?

You can use alternatives like "not interpreted as", "not understood as", or "not regarded as" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "not construed as" or "not construct as"?

"Not construed as" is the correct phrase. "Construed" means to interpret in a particular way. "Construct" means to build or create something, which is not appropriate in this context.

What's the difference between "not construed as" and "not considered as"?

"Not construed as" often carries a more formal or legalistic tone, implying a specific interpretation should be avoided. "Not considered as" is more general and suggests something is simply not viewed in a particular way.