misconstrue

IPA/ˌmɪskənˈstruː/
KK[mɪskənstrˈu]IPA/ˌmɪskənˈstruː/

misconstrue — verb

  • misconstruepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • misconstrueshe / she / it
  • misconstruedpast simple
  • misconstruing-ing form

1. to understand what someone says or does in a way that is not what they intended,

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to understand what someone says or does in a way that is not what they intended, often because you assume their motives are negative

例句

Daniel's boss misconstrued his quietness in meetings as a lack of interest.

misconstrue + noun phrase + as + noun

Ritu worried that her joke about the renovation might be misconstrued.

passive: be misconstrued

同義詞
  • misinterpret

    broader in use; can apply to data, signals, or artistic works, not just human intentions

  • misunderstand

    more common and less formal; can apply to factual information as well as intentions

  • misread

    suggests misinterpreting a specific signal or situation, often a moment or gesture

  • take something the wrong way

    informal idiom; specifically about being offended by something not meant to offend

反義詞

文法句型

misconstrue + noun phrase

be misconstrued as + noun or adjective

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive voice, especially with 'as' to specify the wrong interpretation. The subject of the active verb is typically a person, but the passive can be used with an inanimate subject such as a statement or article.

常見錯誤

❌He misconstrued the train schedule and arrived late.
✅He misunderstood the train schedule and arrived late.
💡'Misconstrue' applies to interpreting meanings or intentions, not factual information such as schedules or directions.