Is it correct to say "You are misunderstood about me", or should I say "you are misunderstanding me" in the following situation, please

Question

Hello teachers,

I need your help with something. I'm not sure about whether the following sentences are correct or not. Could you plese tell me which ones of them are correct or are all of them correct?

A) I think you are misunderstood about me. I am not actually a doctor.

B) I think you are misunderstaning me. I am not actually a doctor.

C) You think that I'm a doctor, but I'm not actually a doctor.

(If all of them are correct English, my next question would be: Is there any difference between their meaning, please?

)

Thank you very much.

GPY · Accepted Answer

(B) and (C) are correct (apart from a small typo). (A) is wrong ("you are mistaken about me" is possible; perhaps you are thinking of that).

(B) would mostly be used when the speaker has previously made a statement that the other person has misunderstood. In (C), the other person's misconception could have arisen in any way.

Laborious · Answer

I heartily thank you, teacher GPY, for your reply.

GPYyou are mistaken about me" is possible; perhaps you are thinking of that).

Yes. That is what I actually wanted to write, but couldn't remember at that moment. Actually, a guy, whom I had met a few days ago, was thinking that I was a doctor which I wasn't, indeed. So, I'd like to ask you that which of those sentences I might have said in that situation, please.

I'd also like to ask you about "to take someone for someone" as in "He took me for a doctor", please. Does this sentence exist in English language? Or do you say "He thought of me a doctor"?

Thank you once again!

GPY · Answer

LaboriousYes. That is what I actually wanted to write, but couldn't remember at that moment. Actually, a guy, whom I had met a few days ago, was thinking that I was a doctor which I wasn't, indeed. So, I'd like to ask you that which of those sentences I might have said in that situation, please.

As I mentioned, "you are misunderstanding me" (in this context) would normally be used if you had made a statement, or explained something, etc., and the other person had misunderstood or misinterpreted the words that you said. If that's not the case then "you are mistaken" may be more appropriate. However, both "misunderstand" and "mistaken" may have a nuance of criticism. Unless you have a reason to be critical, I would avoid these and just say, for example, "By the way, I'm not actually a doctor". The exact phrasing would depend on the exact details of the conversational situation at that point.

LaboriousI'd also like to ask you about "to take someone for someone" as in "He took me for a doctor", please. Does this sentence exist in English language? Or do you say "He thought of me a doctor"?

"He took me for a doctor" is correct. It means that he assumed you were a doctor when actually you were not. "He thought me a doctor" is similar in meaning but is a more formal or literary sentence. "He thought of me as a doctor" is correct English but has a slightly different nuance. "He thought of me a doctor" is not right.

Laborious · Answer

Thanks, teacher GPY. I'm grateful to you for your help. Things which I was confused about are clear to me now.

Is it correct to say "You are misunderstood about me", or should I say "you are misunderstanding me" in the following situation, please

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