in mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in mistake" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered incorrect.
It can be used in contexts where one is referring to an error or misunderstanding, but it is more typical to use "by mistake" instead. Example: "I sent the email to the wrong person in mistake."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He represented the family of Jean Charles de Menezes, the innocent Brazilian shot to death by police in mistake for a terrorist in 2005.

The Guardian

Ms. Fonteyn threw overboard white armbands "intended to distinguish the rebels when they landed" in mistake "for some incriminating letters and her husband's address book, which were hastily packed with some machine-guns and ammunition".

The New York Times

In the spate of shooting incidents which followed, Mr Moore was gunned down by Parchment in mistake for Sean Cephanis following a hate campaign he was suspected of starting.

Independent

His chance to even matters with Will come shortly when he fastens on the surveyor's responsibility for the shooting of the latter's assistant, of which the halfbreed is himself guilty, having shot the assistant from ambush in mistake for Will.

Wikipedia

Rather than reactively passing legislation resulting in mistake after mistake, they should have a model in mind that encapsulates all possibilities in all dimensions, as well as possibilities to expand as a whole".

Huffington Post

We found that parameter position in the insertion sheet plays a major role in mistake occurrence (real mistakes); with last insertions being statistically associated with higher rate of mistakes than the insertions at the beginning.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But Brooks and Humphries, who played on Saturday for the first time in three weeks, turned in mistake-filled second-half performances.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't really believe in mistakes.

The Guardian - Film

A few clinicians admitted that this inconsistent, casual approach to handovers sometimes resulted in mistakes.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Only the new electronic error-correction systems hold out any hope for reduction in mistakes.

Forbes

If you think forensic science is always accurate and results in mistake-proof crime convictions as portrayed on "CSI" and other TV crime dramas, a new report by the National Research Council strongly indicates otherwise.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer the more common and accepted phrase "by mistake" in most contexts. It's clearer and less likely to be perceived as incorrect.

Common error

Avoid using "in mistake" as it's not standard English. Always opt for "by mistake" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in mistake" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action occurred. However, Ludwig indicates it is not a standard English construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "in mistake" appears in some contexts, Ludwig AI indicates that it is generally considered non-standard English. It's more appropriate to use alternatives like "by mistake" or "in error", with "by mistake" being the most common. The phrase's register leans towards informal, and it appears rarely in authoritative sources. Therefore, it's best to avoid "in mistake" in formal writing and opt for clearer, more grammatically sound options. Ludwig’s analysis points towards the phrase being an uncommon and potentially incorrect choice for most writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by mistake

This is the most common and direct replacement, indicating an unintentional action.

in error

This phrase suggests a formal or technical error, often used in official contexts.

unintentionally

This adverb describes the manner in which something was done without intent.

accidentally

Similar to "by mistake", this adverb highlights the accidental nature of an action.

inadvertently

This implies a lack of attention leading to an unintended outcome.

by accident

Highlights the fortuitous aspect of the event.

unwittingly

This suggests a lack of awareness or knowledge contributing to the error.

erroneously

This term indicates that the act was based on incorrect information.

through an oversight

The error happened because of an omission or failure to notice something.

due to a blunder

The mistake resulted from a gross or stupid mistake.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say something happened unintentionally?

The most common and grammatically correct way to express an unintentional action is to say it happened "by mistake". Other options include "accidentally" or "unintentionally".

Is it ever correct to use the phrase "in mistake"?

While some instances of "in mistake" can be found, it is generally considered non-standard. It is better to use "by mistake" or "in error".

What is a more formal way to say "in mistake"?

A more formal alternative to "in mistake" is "in error". This phrase is often used in official or technical contexts.

Can "in mistake" be used interchangeably with "because of a mistake"?

While both phrases relate to errors, they are not interchangeable. "Because of a mistake" indicates the cause of something, whereas "by mistake" describes how something was done unintentionally. For example, "The delay was because of a mistake" vs. "I sent the email by mistake".