It's true that humans did not evolve directly from apes, but humans and apes share a common ancestor. This is a nuanced concept in evolutionary biology.

Here's an explanation:

1. Common Ancestor:

Humans and modern apes (such as chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans) evolved from a common ancestor that lived millions of years ago. This ancestor was neither fully human nor fully ape, but a species that had traits we now see in both humans and modern apes.

The idea that humans evolved from apes is a misconception that oversimplifies the process. Instead, humans and apes both branched off from this shared ancestor along different evolutionary paths.

2. Human Evolution:

Humans belong to the species Homo sapiens, which evolved over the course of millions of years from earlier hominids (human-like ancestors). Our closest relatives are the chimpanzees and bonobos, who share about 98-99% of our DNA, but our evolutionary line diverged from theirs around 6 to 7 million years ago.

3. Evolutionary Process:

Over millions of years, evolutionary processes like natural selection and genetic mutations led to the development of different species. As a result, we share certain traits with modern apes (like social behavior, tool use, and intelligence), but we are a distinct species that evolved independently from them.

4. The Misconception:

The idea that humans evolved from apes may come from early misunderstandings of Darwin's theory of evolution, or the way the theory was simplified. While it's true that humans and apes share a common ancestor, humans did not descend directly from modern apes as they exist today.

5. Key Distinctions:

• Humans are bipedal (walking on two legs), while modern apes are primarily quadrupedal (walking on four limbs).
• Humans have larger brains relative to body size, which has enabled the development of advanced language, culture, and technology.
• Humans have unique genetic characteristics that differentiate us from apes, despite the similarities.

In summary, humans did not evolve from apes, but we share a common ancestor with them that lived millions of years ago. Our evolutionary paths diverged from theirs, leading to the development of distinctly human traits over time.