under the misconception

USAGE SUMMARY

"under the misconception" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a faulty assumption that a person has made. For example: She was living under the misconception that she would be able to get away with not paying her taxes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"I was under the misconception that that would help the baby be more satisfied".

The New York Times - Health

"Originally, we were under the misconception that the film was all about Grimsby, but it's not.

The Guardian - Film

But let's not labour under the misconception that this is beneficial on a strictly national tit-for-tat basis.

The Guardian - Opinion

He may even be living under the misconception that you are a member of some kind of shoe library.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"A lot of sellers are under the misconception that winter is a slow sales time," he said, "but that is erroneous.

The New York Times

Shepard said some people are still under the misconception that what happened to her son is typical of what happens in Wyoming.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Now the second half of the misconception re: under-garments is just sick and twisted.

Huffington Post

Invited authors will be given wide scope in judging the prevalence of the misconception under discussion.

British Journal of Cancer

Man likes to assume he is the end of the evolutionary cycle, but dinosaurs, who held sway for almost 150m years, probably laboured under the same misconception.

The Guardian

Reading between the lines, he seems to have been the Jedward or Wagner of the series, the so-bad-they're-good act that audiences keep supporting, under the adorable misconception that their lucrative phone votes are somehow disrupting the best-laid plans of the show bosses.

The Guardian

The problem right now is that many companies seem to be operating under the total misconception that growth fixes all.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "under the misconception" with specific details about the situation or belief to enhance clarity and demonstrate thorough analysis.

Common error

Don't just state that someone is "under the misconception"; specify the misconception itself to provide context and prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the misconception" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating a state of holding a false or inaccurate belief. Ludwig AI analysis, based on many examples, confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under the misconception" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that someone holds a false belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, its strength lies in its ability to clearly highlight the contrast between the mistaken belief and reality. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with considerable usage in scientific writing, demonstrating its versatility across different registers. When using this phrase, remember to clearly specify what the misconception is to avoid ambiguity and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under a mistaken belief

Similar to the original phrase, but uses "belief" instead of "misconception".

under the wrong impression

Focuses on the negative impact of receiving an incorrect impression.

holding a false belief

Focuses on the act of maintaining an incorrect belief.

mistakenly believing

Highlights the act of believing something that is not true.

incorrectly assuming

Emphasizes the faulty assumption leading to the misunderstanding.

in the mistaken assumption

Highlights the incorrect nature of the basic premise being assumed.

operating under a false impression

Focuses on the incorrect nature of the initial information received.

misunderstanding the facts

Emphasizes a failure to correctly interpret the available information.

misled into thinking

Suggests external influence or deception contributing to the false belief.

laboring under a delusion

Emphasizes a more extreme and potentially irrational false belief.

FAQs

How can I use "under the misconception" in a sentence?

You can use "under the misconception" to indicate that someone holds a false belief. For example: "Many people are "under the misconception" that healthy food is always expensive."

What are some alternatives to saying "under the misconception"?

Alternatives include "mistakenly believing", "operating under a false impression", or "under a mistaken belief", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "under the misconception" or "mistakenly believing"?

"Under the misconception" is generally considered more formal and suitable for academic or professional writing, while "mistakenly believing" can be used in more casual contexts.

What's the difference between "under the misconception" and "under the impression"?

"Under the misconception" implies a false or inaccurate belief, while "under the impression" suggests a general understanding or feeling, which may or may not be accurate. The former carries a stronger connotation of error.