operating under a misapprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "operating under a misapprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is acting based on a misunderstanding or incorrect belief. Example: "He was operating under a misapprehension that the meeting was scheduled for Friday instead of Thursday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

City agencies are already operating under a partial hiring freeze.

Huffington Post

The police seem to be operating under the misapprehension that the recent protests have been led by identifiable leaders who can then be picked out, thus leaving crowds bereft of direction.

The Guardian - Opinion

The distillery operates under a separate license.

The New York Times

Banks operate under a similar system.

The New York Times

They operate under a common trademark, DHL Worldwide Express.

Forbes

Clutter operates under a simple premise.

TechCrunch

unethical hackers who operate under a very loose moral code.

Vice

Brooklyn Museum operates under a suggested donation to support their programs.

Huffington Post

Society still largely operates under the misapprehension that race (largely defined by skin colour) has some basis in biology.

The Guardian

Even girls who display "classic" symptoms of ADHD, such as restlessness and impulsivity, may have been missed in the past simply because many parents, teachers and doctors have operated under the misapprehension that ADHD rarely affects girls.

Huffington Post

A squad operating under Brig.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "operating under a misapprehension", ensure the context clearly explains what the misapprehension is and its consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "operating under a misapprehension" when a simple "misunderstanding" is more appropriate. "Misapprehension" suggests a more deeply rooted or significant false belief, not just a temporary confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operating under a misapprehension" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating the state of someone acting based on incorrect or incomplete information. It's often used to explain the reason behind a particular action or decision. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Encyclopedias

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Wiki

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Reference

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "operating under a misapprehension" describes a situation where someone is acting on a false belief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While versatile, it is most suited for formal and neutral contexts, like news reports or professional communications, rather than casual conversation. Alternatives like "laboring under a false impression" or "acting on a misunderstanding" can be used for similar meanings. When employing this phrase, be sure to clarify the nature of the misapprehension to avoid ambiguity. Its lack of frequent usage may indicate the presence of better alternatives in the modern context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laboring under a false impression

Replaces "misapprehension" with "false impression", emphasizing the incorrectness of the belief.

under a mistaken belief

Substitutes "misapprehension" with "mistaken belief", highlighting the erroneous nature of the belief.

acting on a misunderstanding

Focuses on the action resulting from the misunderstanding, rather than the state of mind.

proceeding with an incorrect assumption

Emphasizes the assumption as the basis for the action, highlighting its inaccuracy.

misled by a faulty understanding

Highlights the cause of the misapprehension as a "faulty understanding".

under the sway of a delusion

Uses "delusion" to suggest a stronger, potentially irrational, misbelief.

deceived by a misconception

Focuses on the deception aspect, implying an external source of the incorrect belief.

assuming wrongly due to misinformation

Highlights the misinformation as the reason for assuming wrongly.

working from a flawed premise

Uses "flawed premise" to indicate the incorrect foundation of the action.

believing something that isn't true

Simplifies the concept to its basic elements: belief and untruth.

FAQs

How can I use "operating under a misapprehension" in a sentence?

You can use "operating under a misapprehension" to describe a situation where someone is acting based on a misunderstanding or incorrect belief. For example: "The company was "operating under a misapprehension" about the market demand".

What are some alternatives to "operating under a misapprehension"?

You can use alternatives like "laboring under a false impression", "under a mistaken belief", or "acting on a misunderstanding" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "operating under a misapprehension" and "making a mistake"?

"Operating under a misapprehension" implies a sustained course of action based on a false belief, whereas "making a mistake" refers to a single, isolated error. The former has long term and often more impactful consequence.

Is "operating under a misapprehension" formal or informal language?

The phrase "operating under a misapprehension" is considered relatively formal and is suitable for professional or academic writing. In casual conversations, simpler alternatives might be preferred.