can be easily mistaken

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "can be easily mistaken" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something that can be easily misunderstood or interpreted incorrectly. For example: "The symbols in the diagram can be easily mistaken, so be sure to pay close attention when reading it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Bay can be easily mistaken for other types of laurel leaves which should not be used due to their toxicity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A brain as visually acute is something of a four-leaf clover: it's real but you can be easily mistaken when you think you've found one.

The New York Times

In this paper, we will show how graphite structures, that are inherent to the production process of the amorphous carbon support films, used for both SEM and TEM studies can be easily mistaken for the actual sample structures.

Carbon

For employees in tech, where socializing can be easily mistaken for networking and vice versa, there are Slack teams designed for discussions about programming languages and product marketing, and for commiseration among struggling startup founders.

The New Yorker

Rob Hendrickson, associate medical director at the Oregon Poison Center, said it's possible that incidents will increase after 2 June, as edibles can be easily mistaken for regular baked goods or candy.

The Guardian

In a move that baffled his family, he walked to a pawnshop where he paid $106 for a green camouflage-colored Winchester 1000 air rifle, a device that uses compressed air to fire pellets but can be easily mistaken for a hunting rifle.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Indeed, several stories recounted in "Prairie Fires" reveal an often-overlooked reason it can be so difficult to prevail in disputes over fact: Truth is often shifty, and even stories unmistakably supported by extensive research in primary sources can sometimes be easily mistaken for the work of a novelist.

The New York Times - Books

The kidney, bladder, or even fecal pellets can all be easily mistaken for fetuses.

WikiHow

Read more at Planned Parenthood. 5. Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Yes, chlamydia and gonorrhea are easily treated and cured, but the symptoms for these two STDs can be easily missed, or easily mistaken for something else, like a yeast infection.

Huffington Post

FJ Lapointe's review continued: 2) It is not clear to me how biased HGT can be easily detected, and not mistaken for ancient gene duplication.

Biology Direct

In this way any computer counting mistakes can be easily discovered and corrected by the operator.

Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be easily mistaken", ensure the context clearly identifies what might cause the misunderstanding. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "can be easily mistaken" without specifying what the subject might be mistaken for. Vague statements diminish the phrase's impact and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be easily mistaken" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating the potential for something to be misunderstood or misinterpreted. Ludwig examples confirm its use in highlighting potential for confusion, as affirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

40%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be easily mistaken" serves as a linguistic caution sign, alerting readers to the potential for misinterpretation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and actively used. It functions primarily to highlight ambiguities and encourage careful consideration. It shows that this phrase appears frequently in contexts such as in Science, News & Media and Wiki. When using "can be easily mistaken", it is essential to provide sufficient context to clarify what the subject may be confused for, avoiding vagueness and enhancing the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is easily confused for

Similar to the original phrase but uses "for" instead of "with".

may be readily confused with

Uses "may be" to indicate possibility, and "readily" to emphasize easiness.

is often confused with

Focuses on the confusion arising between two or more specific things.

is often taken for

Emphasizes a common misperception.

is readily misinterpreted as

Highlights the potential for misinterpreting something in a specific way.

is liable to be mistaken for

Indicates a chance of being mistaken.

is susceptible to misinterpretation as

Highlights the vulnerability to misinterpretation.

is prone to being misunderstood as

Emphasizes the likelihood of misunderstanding.

is apt to be confused with

Suggests a natural tendency for confusion.

is sometimes erroneously identified as

Highlights the potential for error in identification.

FAQs

How can I use "can be easily mistaken" in a sentence?

Use "can be easily mistaken" to point out a common misunderstanding. For example, "His politeness "can be easily mistaken" for romantic interest".

What's a good alternative to "can be easily mistaken"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is often confused with", "is readily misinterpreted as", or "is prone to being misunderstood as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "could be easily mistaken" instead of "can be easily mistaken"?

Yes, "could be easily mistaken" is also correct, expressing a possibility rather than a general tendency. The choice depends on the degree of certainty you want to express.

What is the difference between "can be easily mistaken" and "is often mistaken"?

"Can be easily mistaken" highlights the potential for misinterpretation due to inherent qualities, while "is often mistaken" /s/is+often+mistaken suggests that the misinterpretation frequently occurs in practice.