What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
misconstrued
Example
Her words were misconstrued, and people thought she was being rude. [misconstrued: past participle]
Example
He misconstrued my intentions and thought I was trying to take credit for his work. [misconstrued: past tense]
misunderstand
Example
I think we misunderstand each other. Can you explain what you mean? [misunderstand: verb]
Example
She misunderstood the instructions and ended up making a mistake. [misunderstood: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Misunderstand is more commonly used than misconstrued in everyday language. Misunderstand is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while misconstrued is less common and refers to a specific type of misunderstanding.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between misconstrued and misunderstand?
Both misconstrued and misunderstand are appropriate for formal and informal contexts, but misunderstand is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations.
