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Common collocations with misunderstanding in American Collocation

misunderstanding noun

US /ˌmɪsʌndərˈstændɪŋ/

serious

complete
fundamental
gross
profound
serious
terrible

A critic claimed the poet’s popularity was based on a complete misunderstanding of what his poems are about.

The reason is the persistent and gross misunderstanding of Darwinian evolution.

not very serious

slight

There had been a slight misunderstanding with Smith over funding arrangements.

common

common
widespread

There continues to be a widespread misunderstanding that the term “common law wife/husband” has legal significance.

unfortunate

tragic
unfortunate

Say it now. That may save a tragic misunderstanding later on.

unnecessary or silly

ridiculous
unnecessary

Hasty messages sent without due consideration can cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

amusing

comic
comical
hilarious

That small lie turns into a bigger one, and soon Paul’s life is a series of comical misunderstandings.

deliberate

intentional
wilful

This is a wilful misunderstanding of gambling as a harmless hobby rather than an addiction.

genuine

genuine

Often the issue at the heart of the argument turns out to be a genuine misunderstanding.

on both sides

mutual

I write about the Irish/British relationship and all its mutual attractions and mutual misunderstandings.

between different cultures

cross-cultural
cultural
inter-cultural

Cultural misunderstandings can lead to the loss of business deals.

be based on a misunderstanding

arise from
be based on
result from
stem from

In my view, the concerns are based on a misunderstanding about the nature of our proposal.

resolve or correct a misunderstanding

clarify
clear up
correct
dispel
eliminate
overcome
resolve

The report dispels the common misunderstanding that chronic diseases mainly affect people in wealthy countries.

avoid a misunderstanding

avoid
minimize
prevent

In future we are asking people to confirm in writing, to avoid any misunderstandings.

cause misunderstandings

cause
lead to

Cultural differences in behaviour can cause misunderstandings.

reveal a misunderstanding

betray

The language used betrays a misunderstanding of geology and geological processes.