under the impression that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under the impression that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a misunderstanding or misbelief about a particular situation or fact. For example, "I was under the impression that the event was taking place in the afternoon, not the evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was under the impression that was a perfectly legal lion to take!

Huffington Post

We are under the impression that success grows infinitely.

Independent

"I was under the impression that they were theirs".

The New York Times - Arts

"They're under the impression that everybody's on the take".

The New York Times

Keith [Richards] was under the impression that I'd remixed them.

The Guardian - Music

You're under the impression that "crimbo" refers to Christmas.

The Guardian

They are already under the impression that no one cares for them.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Tribunal was under the impression that it had already been read over.

Yale University

I was under the impression that Finch never got leave to appeal to the Privy Council.

Columbia University

Developers are under the impression that the implementation of the IBS is accompanied by high costs.

Procedia Engineering

Some state lawmakers are under the impression that Texas' Medicaid program is already offering such guidance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under the impression that" when you want to gently suggest someone's belief might be incorrect or based on incomplete information. For example, "He was under the impression that the meeting had been canceled, so he didn't attend."

Common error

Avoid using "under the impression that" to describe established facts or widely known information. It's best suited for situations involving subjective interpretations or potential misunderstandings, not objective truths.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the impression that" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce a statement of belief or understanding, often implying that the belief might be incorrect or based on incomplete information. As Ludwig AI states, it's usable in written English to describe a misunderstanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

21%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under the impression that" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a belief or understanding, often with an implication that this belief might be inaccurate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing misunderstandings or misbeliefs. Usage is most prevalent in news and media, followed by academic contexts. When writing, remember that it's best used for subjective interpretations rather than established facts. Alternatives like "believing that" or "assuming that" can be used depending on the desired nuance. With a high expert rating and frequent occurrence in authoritative sources, "under the impression that" remains a reliable and versatile phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understanding that

Suggests a comprehension or interpretation of information.

believing that

Focuses on the belief itself rather than the source of the belief.

with the understanding that

Implies an agreement or condition based on a shared comprehension.

in the belief that

Expresses a motivation or rationale rooted in a specific belief.

thinking that

A more general term for believing, often implying a less firm conviction.

with the belief that

Highlights the conviction behind an action or decision.

assuming that

Implies taking something for granted without concrete proof.

it seemed that

Focuses on an appearance or perception of reality.

presuming that

Similar to "assuming", but can also carry a sense of entitlement or arrogance.

it appeared that

Similar to "it seemed that", emphasizing visual evidence or clues.

FAQs

How can I use "under the impression that" in a sentence?

You can use "under the impression that" to indicate a belief or understanding, often one that turns out to be incorrect. For example: "I was under the impression that the deadline was Friday, but it's actually Thursday."

What's a good alternative to "under the impression that"?

Alternatives include "believing that", "thinking that", or "assuming that". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am under the impression of" instead of "under the impression that"?

The correct and more common form is "under the impression that". "Under the impression of" is less idiomatic and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

What is the difference between "under the impression that" and "with the understanding that"?

"Under the impression that" often implies a potential misunderstanding or incorrect belief. "With the understanding that" suggests a mutual agreement or condition. For instance, "I accepted the job with the understanding that I would receive a raise after six months."