under an illusion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under an illusion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is deceived or misled by a false belief or perception. Example: "He was under the illusion that he would be promoted, but the company decided to downsize instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Cubans are living under an illusion".

The Guardian

Was I under an illusion to think that that was the basis of a sound marriage?

The New Yorker

As it was, the queen won and South was under an illusion about the location of the king.

The New York Times - Arts

He left a note saying, "Whoever believes that God's religion will be victorious without holy struggle, without blood, without body parts, is living under an illusion".

The New York Times

Perhaps more significantly, by uniting the allegedly disparate inclinations of those who support Blue Labour, the Red Tories or the Big Society, it reveals that most of our political class is still labouring under an illusion.

Independent

The new Joker, who, in Christopher Nolan's allegorical universe, is as much a symbol of entropy as a real human being, tries to convince Batman that he lives under an illusion of inviolate certainties.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"Users will at least be under less of an illusion that what's happening on Facebook is merely a function of what their friends are doing," he said.

The New York Times

After nearly six years of grinding conflict that have killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced 11 million from their homes, no one is under any illusion of an easy fix.

Vice

Few are under any illusion about a decrease in the numbers.

The Guardian

But no one should be under any illusion that a new leader will end Labour's difficulties.

The Guardian

It's rare for one performance to change the world, but once Gandolfini cleared the way, nobody could be under any illusion about what a television actor was capable of.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under an illusion", ensure the context clearly indicates what the false belief or misperception is. For example, "He was "under an illusion" that the project would be easy, but it turned out to be very complex."

Common error

Avoid using "under an illusion" when a stronger term like "delusion" is more appropriate. "Delusion" implies a more fixed and irrational belief, often associated with mental health conditions, while "illusion" suggests a more general misperception or false belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under an illusion" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to describe a state of being deceived or holding a false belief. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, from political commentary to personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under an illusion" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a state of being deceived by a false belief. According to Ludwig, this phrase is frequently found in news and media sources, as well as scientific texts. While versatile, it's important to consider whether stronger terms like "delusion" might be more fitting in certain contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and provides helpful alternatives such as "under a false impression" or "mistaken in the belief". Overall, mastering the use of "under an illusion" will help writers express nuanced perspectives about misperceptions and distorted realities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under a false impression

Similar to "illusion" but may imply a less profound or persistent error.

laboring under a delusion

Replaces "illusion" with "delusion", implying a more severe or persistent false belief.

misled by a fantasy

Highlights the role of imagination in creating the false belief.

operating under a misapprehension

Implies a misunderstanding or incorrect interpretation of facts.

mistaken in the belief

Emphasizes the error in holding a particular belief or conviction.

blinded by a misconception

Suggests that a preconceived notion is preventing clear perception.

deceived by appearances

Focuses on being misled by superficial or outward aspects.

living in a dream world

Suggests a complete detachment from reality, often in a positive or escapist sense.

fooling oneself into believing

Highlights the active role of the person in creating or maintaining the false belief.

beguiled by a fallacy

Emphasizes the deceptive nature of a flawed argument or reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "under an illusion" in a sentence?

Use "under an illusion" to describe a state of being deceived by a false belief or perception. For example, "The company was "under an illusion" that their product would be successful."

What's the difference between "under an illusion" and "under a delusion"?

"Under an illusion" suggests a general misperception, while "under a delusion" implies a stronger, more fixed, and irrational false belief.

Are there any synonyms for "under an illusion"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "under a false impression", "mistaken in the belief", or "living in a dream world", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "under the illusion" instead of "under an illusion"?

Both phrases can be grammatically correct, but "under an illusion" is more common when referring to a general state of misperception, while "under the illusion" may refer to a specific illusion or situation.