be mistaken for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be mistaken for' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever someone is incorrectly identified as something or someone else. For example, "The actor's lookalike was often mistaken for him when out in public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lethargy should not be mistaken for laziness.

The New York Times

"She cannot be mistaken for anything else".

The New York Times

They could barely be mistaken for human.

Independent

Many might be mistaken for lithographs.

The New York Times

"Sometimes discipline can be mistaken for dictatorship.

The Guardian

This impatience can be mistaken for boredom.

The Guardian

Additionally, metaplastic and hyperplastic processes may be mistaken for PCa.

Diagnostic Histopathology

Corporate space should not be mistaken for private space.

University of California, Berkeley

Can be mistaken for harmless courtship-related regurgitation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Yet wariness should not be mistaken for defeatism.

The Economist

It could easily be mistaken for a dimple.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be mistaken for" to highlight differences by emphasizing the misidentification.

Common error

Avoid using "be mistaken for" when simply stating a resemblance; reserve it for situations where actual confusion or misidentification occurs. For example, avoid saying "This cloud could be mistaken for a sheep" if you just mean it looks like one; reserve that phrasing for situations where someone actually thought the cloud was a sheep.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be mistaken for" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating misidentification. Ludwig's examples show it connecting a subject with an incorrect identity, highlighting potential confusion. It describes a state where someone or something is wrongly identified as another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

HuffPost

6%

The New Yorker

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be mistaken for" is a very common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to express misidentification. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. The phrase serves to clarify potential confusion, and while interchangeable with alternatives like "be confused with", it often implies a more superficial misidentification. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in identifying both the incorrect and correct identities to avoid any potential misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be confused with

Indicates a state of mental uncertainty or inability to distinguish between two things.

be identified incorrectly as

Specifies the act of wrongly assigning an identity or characteristic.

be taken as

Highlights how something is perceived or interpreted, potentially in error.

be misrepresented as

Emphasizes the distortion or inaccuracy in the portrayal of something.

be regarded falsely as

Indicates an incorrect perception or judgment.

be falsely assumed to be

Highlights the incorrect assumption about the nature or identity of something.

appear deceptively as

Focuses on the misleading appearance of something.

be erroneously considered as

Emphasizes the error in considering something as something else.

be deceptively similar to

Indicates a resemblance that leads to confusion or misidentification.

bear a resemblance to

Highlights a similarity that could lead to misidentification.

FAQs

How to use "be mistaken for" in a sentence?

Use "be mistaken for" to indicate that someone or something is incorrectly identified as someone or something else. For example, "That actor is often "confused with" another actor because they look so similar."

What can I say instead of "be mistaken for"?

You can use alternatives like "be confused with", "be identified incorrectly as", or "be taken as" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be mistaken for" or "is mistaken for"?

"Be mistaken for" is an infinitive form, often used after auxiliary verbs such as "can", "could", "will", etc. "Is mistaken for" is the present tense form, used to describe a current state or action. For example, "He could be mistaken for his twin brother" vs. "He is often mistaken for his twin brother".

What's the difference between "be mistaken for" and "be confused with"?

While both phrases suggest misidentification, "be mistaken for" often implies a more superficial or visual misidentification, whereas "be confused with" can imply a deeper, more conceptual misunderstanding. For example, "The twins are often "confused with" each other due to their identical appearances, but also because they have the same mannerisms."