under a false impression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under a false impression" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone has an incorrect understanding of something. For example, "He had been operating under a false impression that the project was almost finished, when in fact it was only half-done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Those who think the graduate contributions squeeze the middle the most are labouring under a false impression about the value of money over time.

The Guardian - Opinion

If it is weak it is sure either to be violent, or to allow some one of the jarring sections of the community to exhibit violence unrestrained, to rely on terror as the French Convention, under a false impression of its own dangers, did, or to permit a party to terrorise, as the first Ministry of Louis the Eighteenth did.

The Economist

"Any suggestion that the taxpayer was lured into bailing out Anglo Irish Bank under a false impression about the state of the bank's financial condition is deeply disturbing and has to be fully investigated by the authorities," Fianna Fail finance spokesman Michael McGrath said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The study asserted that the tests used by states to measure student progress under No Child Left Behind were creating "a false impression of success".

The New York Times

In a similar fashion, some fine features in the Lorentz factor that can be seen in Figure 9 for FCT appear to be smeared out when using GLM, giving a false impression of symmetry under 90∘ rotations, while the actual symmetry of the problem is under 180∘ rotations.

Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology

Professor Kennedy said that once a crime is under way, the phones often do little more than create "a false impression of safety".

The New York Times

Although 6 of 10 failing products appear more potent than the innovator under simple NLR (Table 3), in all cases it is a false impression given by their lack of bactericidal efficacy.

Plosone

However, the BBC's Arab Affairs Editor Sebastian Usher says this figure may give a false impression because there are large areas to the east under IS control that are not very significant strategically.

BBC

"But this is a false impression".

The New York Times

Constant conjecture creates a false impression.

Independent

You deliberately conveyed a false impression.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under a false impression" when you want to highlight that someone's actions or decisions are based on wrong assumptions.

Common error

Avoid substituting "impression" with "expression". "Impression" refers to a belief or understanding, while "expression" refers to communication or manifestation of something. Using the latter will result in an nonsensical construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under a false impression" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase. It modifies a verb or clause, indicating the state or condition in which an action is performed or a belief is held. Ludwig confirms that this is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under a false impression" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a state of having incorrect information or a flawed understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable for use in written English. While "under a false impression" isn't extremely common, it appears in reputable sources such as "The Guardian", "BBC", and "The New York Times", primarily in news and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, be sure to clearly indicate who holds the incorrect belief. Alternatives like "laboring under a misconception" or "mistakenly believing" may be suitable substitutes depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mistakenly believing

Focuses on the error in the belief itself, rather than the cause.

in the mistaken belief

Similar to "mistakenly believing" but emphasizes the belief itself.

laboring under a misconception

Emphasizes holding an incorrect belief, particularly one that leads to flawed reasoning.

under the illusion that

Implies a deceptive appearance that leads to a false belief.

misled into believing

Highlights the act of being deceived into accepting something untrue.

deceived into thinking

Highlights the active deception involved in forming the incorrect belief.

operating under a delusion

Suggests a more profound and persistent false belief, potentially pathological.

thinking erroneously

Directly points out the error in the thought process.

proceeding with a flawed understanding

Highlights the act of moving forward based on an incorrect comprehension.

misapprehending the situation

Focuses on misunderstanding the overall context or circumstances.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "under a false impression"?

You can use alternatives like "laboring under a misconception", "mistakenly believing", or "under the illusion that" depending on the context.

What does it mean to be "under a false impression"?

It means to have an incorrect understanding or belief about something, often leading to flawed judgments or actions. It suggests that someone's perception of a situation is not accurate.

Is it better to say "mistaken impression" or "false impression"?

Both "mistaken impression" and "false impression" are valid. "False impression" often implies a deliberate deception or misrepresentation, while "mistaken impression" suggests an unintentional error in understanding.

How to use "under a false impression" in a sentence?

You might say, "The investor was "misled into believing" the company was profitable and operated "under a false impression" of its true financial state."