under the wrong impression

USAGE SUMMARY

"under the wrong impression" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person who has a misconception about something. For example, "John was under the wrong impression that the party was at 7:00 pm when in fact it started at 8:00 pm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"So, I was under the wrong impression.

The New York Times

Mr. Moussa said he is still not sure why, but said Mr. Hussein "was perhaps under the wrong impression that certain questions would be raised".

The New York Times

"Most of the time we're labouring under the wrong impression of what a career entails rather than getting a true picture".

The Guardian

"If people think of this as setting up a clinic and giving the vaccine, they're under the wrong impression -- the vaccine clinic is the easy part," Dr. Allan said.

The New York Times

I was so under the wrong impression at that time.

Huffington Post

The previous version of the manuscript did not sufficiently describe the methods for data analysis and modeling, mainly because we were under the wrong impression that we needed to limit the length of the main text.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That gives the wrong impression.

The Guardian

"That sends the wrong impression.

The New York Times

"Farmer" gives the wrong impression.

The Guardian - Opinion

'Survive' gives the wrong impression.

The Guardian - Travel

The series will give the wrong impression".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under the wrong impression" to gently correct someone's misunderstanding without being overly critical.

Common error

Avoid using "under the wrong impression" when "under a false assumption" is more accurate. "Impression" suggests a general feeling or idea, while "assumption" implies a specific, unverified belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the wrong impression" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating a state of misunderstanding or having an incorrect idea about something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

23%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under the wrong impression" is a valid and useful phrase for expressing that someone has a misconception. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in news and media, scientific writing, and general contexts like wikis. When employing this phrase, clarity is key to ensure the intended meaning is conveyed, and it's wise to consider whether "impression" or "assumption" is the more precise term. Be mindful that using this phrase implies a gentle correction, not an accusation of deception. Consider alternatives such as "misled" or "mistakenly believed" depending on the context. Remember to differentiate the term with "under a false assumption" which highlights that the misunderstanding is based on an unverified belief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under a false assumption

Substitutes 'impression' with 'assumption', highlighting that the misunderstanding is based on an unverified belief.

laboring under a misapprehension

Replaces 'wrong impression' with 'misapprehension', emphasizing the state of incorrect understanding.

mistakenly believed

Focuses on the incorrect belief, rather than the impression itself.

harboring a misconception

Emphasizes that the incorrect idea is held for some time.

misled

A shorter, more direct way of saying someone was given a false idea.

under the illusion

Implies a more fanciful or unrealistic misunderstanding.

thinking erroneously

Highlights the act of thinking incorrectly.

deceived

Suggests a deliberate misleading, rather than a simple misunderstanding.

in error

A concise way of stating that a belief is incorrect.

under a delusion

Suggests a strong and potentially irrational false belief.

FAQs

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

You can use "under the wrong impression" to indicate that someone has a misconception about something. For example, "He was "under the wrong impression" that the meeting was canceled."

What's a more formal alternative to "under the wrong impression"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "laboring under a misapprehension" or "operating under a false assumption". These alternatives are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is it better to say "under the wrong impression" or "mistakenly believe"?

The choice depends on the context. "Under the wrong impression" describes the state of having a false idea, while "mistakenly believe" emphasizes the act of believing something incorrect. Consider using "mistakenly believed" when highlighting the error in judgment.

What's the difference between "under the wrong impression" and "deceived"?

"Under the wrong impression" suggests a misunderstanding, while "deceived" implies a deliberate misleading. Use "deceived" when someone has been intentionally given false information.