we are deluded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are deluded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the idea that a group of people is misled or has false beliefs about a situation. Example: "In many cases, we are deluded into thinking that our choices are entirely our own, when external factors heavily influence them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"We are deluded by the attention paid to the large contributors in our country," said Wendy Smith, author of "Give A Little: How Your Small Donations Can Transform the World".

The New York Times

According to the second, the source of the unacceptability of the conclusion is the fact that we are deluded by our intuition (Sikora 1978, 2004; Mackie 1985; Tännsjö 1992 , 1998 2002; Hare 1993; Ryberg 1996a, 2004).

SEP

Validation from outside is an invaluable check on whether we are deluded or spot on.

Huffington Post

In Heaven and Hell, Aldous Huxley writes "Nature at the middle distance is familiar— so familiar that we are deluded into believing that we really know what it is all about.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But if we think that's all it is we are deluding ourselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are deluding ourselves if we take solace from the fact that the Russian nuclear threat is diminishing.

The New York Times

And we are deluding ourselves if we don't think that children whose parents are at war — and may come back in bad shape, or not at all — won't have special needs, or benefit from continuity and a community.

The New Yorker

This isn't going away and we are deluding ourselves if we think that retailers here aren't taking advantage of the rules the countries around the world make".

The Guardian

"UK film is brilliant, both creatively and technically, but we are deluding ourselves that it will remain so without us actively seeking talented people from every corner of the UK," she said.

The Guardian - Film

Even in the midst of ongoing violence, we do not believe we are deluding ourselves when we profess our belief in the fundamental humanity of the other side, or our faith that we do have partners for peace in each other and that a negotiated solution is still possible.

The New York Times

It all made me think how hard we humans try to recognize and respect the possibility of a spiritual world, and even if we are deluding ourselves and a human death is really no different than a dead seagull's un-witnessed passing in the lonely shores of some far-off island, we at least try to create a memory and belief that these acts will make sense and give meaning to it all.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are deluded" when you want to express that a group holds a false belief despite evidence to the contrary. It suggests a significant disconnect from reality.

Common error

Avoid using "we are deluded" when a simpler phrase like "we are mistaken" or "we are misled" would suffice. "Deluded" implies a more profound and persistent false belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are deluded" functions as a declarative statement expressing a collective state of being misled or holding false beliefs. As Ludwig AI states, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we are deluded" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating that a group of people is holding false beliefs or are misled. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a declarative statement to express a critical assessment about a group's understanding of reality. While not overly formal, its neutral register makes it suitable for contexts like news and media, as well as scientific discussions. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants the strong implication of a persistent and significant disconnect from reality. Alternatives like "we are mistaken", "we are deceived", or "we are misguided" may be more appropriate in less severe situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are mistaken

Replaces "deluded" with "mistaken", suggesting a simple error in judgment rather than a deep-seated false belief.

we are deceived

Focuses on the act of being misled by an external force, rather than an internal delusion.

we are misguided

Implies that our actions are based on poor advice or incorrect information, leading us astray.

we are fooling ourselves

Highlights the active role we play in maintaining our false beliefs.

we are under an illusion

Emphasizes the deceptive nature of a perceived reality.

we are victims of a delusion

Presents the false belief as a powerful force affecting the group.

we are laboring under a false impression

Suggests a more persistent and effortful holding of an incorrect belief.

we are seeing things unclearly

Focuses on a lack of clarity in perception rather than a fixed false belief.

we are not seeing the truth

Directly addresses the discrepancy between perception and reality.

we are living a lie

Highlights the profound and potentially harmful nature of the deception.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "we are deluded"?

Saying "we are deluded" means that a group of people holds a false belief or conviction, often despite evidence that contradicts it. It suggests a significant disconnect from reality.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "we are deluded"?

Use "we are deluded" when you want to emphasize a strong, persistent, and often self-deceptive false belief held by a group. It's stronger than saying "we are mistaken" or "we are misled".

What are some alternatives to saying "we are deluded"?

You can use alternatives like "we are mistaken", "we are deceived", or "we are misguided" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between saying "we are deluded" and "we are deceiving ourselves"?

"We are deluded" implies a state of holding a false belief, while "we are deceiving ourselves" emphasizes the active process of creating and maintaining that false belief. The latter suggests a more conscious or subconscious effort to ignore the truth.