be mistaken

USAGE SUMMARY

"be mistaken" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that someone is wrong or has made a false assumption. For example: "You must be mistaken, I'm not sure why you think I would do that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You would be mistaken".

The New York Times - Books

"Let's not be mistaken".

The New York Times

Don't be mistaken.

The New Yorker

This logic may be mistaken.

The New Yorker

But they would be mistaken.

The Economist

Do not be mistaken.

The Guardian - Opinion

One might be mistaken.

The Guardian

We would be mistaken.

The Guardian - Film

One would be mistaken.

The New York Times

Or not be mistaken?

The Guardian - Sport

But you'd be mistaken.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase to mean misidentification, always include the preposition "for" (e.g., "he could be mistaken for a celebrity").

Common error

Writers sometimes use "I'm mistake" when they mean "I'm mistaken". Always use the past participle form "mistaken" when describing a person's state of being in error. "Mistake" is the noun or the base verb, while "mistaken" serves as the adjective in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be mistaken" functions as a passive construction or a copular verb followed by an adjective. In most contexts identified by Ludwig, it describes a state of error or the act of being incorrectly identified. According to Ludwig AI, it is often paired with modal verbs to soften the delivery of a correction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "be mistaken" is a versatile and essential phrase in the English language. Ludwig data demonstrates that it is a favorite among top-tier journalists and scientists alike for its ability to handle error with professionalism and nuance. Whether you are correcting a colleague's assumption or describing a case of misidentification in a clinical study, this phrase provides a grammatically robust and socially acceptable way to say that something is not right. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a highly reliable expression for writers who aim for a sophisticated and accurate style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be wrong

Provides a more direct and common way to state that a fact or person is incorrect

be incorrect

Offers a slightly more formal alternative often used in technical or academic settings

be in error

Uses a formal noun-based construction typical of legal or official documentation

labor under a misconception

Suggests a more prolonged or deep-seated false belief

be misguided

Implies that the error stems from poor judgment or bad advice rather than just a factual slip

get the wrong idea

Focuses on the misinterpretation of a situation rather than a specific factual error

be confused

Focuses on the mental state of the person making the mistake

be wrongly identified

Specifically refers to cases of mistaken identity or misclassification

miss the mark

A metaphorical idiom suggesting that an attempt or an assumption was unsuccessful or inaccurate

be flawed

Describes the logic or reasoning behind a conclusion as having fundamental errors

FAQs

How do I use "be mistaken" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a person who is wrong, such as in "you must be mistaken", or to describe an idea that is incorrect, as in "that assumption would be mistaken".

What is the difference between "be mistaken" and "be wrong"?

While both mean the same thing, "be mistaken" is often considered more formal and polite. Telling someone "you are wrong" can feel confrontational, whereas saying "you may be mistaken" softens the correction.

What does "not to be mistaken for" mean?

It is used to warn the reader that one thing looks like another but is actually different. For example, "This harmless snake is "not to be mistaken for" its venomous relative".

Can "be mistaken" be used for inanimate objects?

Yes, it can refer to beliefs, logic or predictions. You might say "the data proved to be mistaken" if the information turned out to be false.