[Vocabulary] What's the opposite of 'misconstrue'?

[Glizdka]

If my words were not understood the way I'd wanted them to be, I can say "someone misconstrued my words".

What if because my command of the language is poor enough that they don't communicate what I thought they would, either in their meaning or tone? Is there a word I could use?

"I _______ my words, and now everyone thinks I'm a condescending jerk."

 

[jutfrank]

The words misconstrue/misunderstand/misapprehend/misinterpret all relate to perceiving meaning, not producing meaning. I guess this is what you're wondering, right?

When talking about producing language, you can use garbled to refer to manner of articulation or mischose to talk about word choice.

 

[Glizdka]

The words misconstrue/misunderstand/misapprehend/misinterpret all relate to perceiving meaning, not producing meaning. I guess this is what you're wondering, right?

I know all the four words, I think. I'm wondering about producing meaning, yes.

When talking about producing language, you can use garbled to refer to manner of articulation or mischose to talk about word choice.

I don't think garble is the word I'm looking for. Mischoose might be it. It depends on whether the sentence below is correct.

"If people misconstrue the tone of my message, it's on them unless I mischose my words."

 

[GoesStation]

When talking about producing language, you can use garbled to refer to manner of articulation or mischose to talk about word choice.

I've never seen the word "mischose" until now. I wouldn't recommend it to a learner.

 

[Glizdka]

I've never seen the word "mischose" until now. I wouldn't recommend it to a learner.

Is this addressed to me or to other learners who might find their way into this post? I'm asking because it's a word I was specifically looking for, and it also uses the mis- prefix I've asked about before. I think I can handle mischoose.

 

[jutfrank]

I've never seen the word "mischose" until now. I wouldn't recommend it to a learner.

Is this addressed to me or to other learners who might find their way into this post? I'm asking because it's a word I was specifically looking for, and it also uses the mis- prefix I've asked about before. I think I can handle mischoose.

Yes, it's addressed to you specifically, Glizdka. I think you can handle it.

On the whole, I agree with GoesStation that it might not be an ideal word to recommend to learners in general since it's not very common (it does appear in the first two dictionaries I happened to consult) but I think it's clear, effective, and works quite well in your sentence.

 

[GoesStation]

Is this addressed to me or to other learners who might find their way into this post? I'm asking because it's a word I was specifically looking for, and it also uses the mis- prefix I've asked about before. I think I can handle mischoose.

It's clear enough in writing, but I'd counsel anyone not to use it if they want to be easily understood.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

For ordinary conversation, you might just say:

- Sometimes I choose the wrong words, and everyone thinks . . . .

- Sometimes I get the words wrong, and everyone thinks . . . .

- I often word it poorly, and everyone thinks . . . .