mistaken

USAGE SUMMARY

'mistaken' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is incorrect, wrong or misleading. Example: He was mistaken in his assumption that everyone would agree with him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are mistaken.

The New York Times

"They were mistaken".

The New York Times

He was mistaken.

The New York Times

Luna's father, Gustavo Luna, told Grupo Imagen that the mistaken identity appeared to hinge on the fact that both girls share the name Alondra, and that he had met Díaz, who was his sister's brother-in-law, several times when in Houston over a decade ago.

The Guardian

Wistrich said: "The officers who shot Jean Charles have a defence if they had an honest belief that they were under imminent threat, even if they were mistaken and their mistake was wholly unreasonable".

The Guardian

But the answer is a reform of retirement provision and long term care, not pandering to a minority who want to play with their pension pots, probably in the mistaken belief they know what they are doing.

The Guardian - Money

As many people know, an extramarital affair and Marr's mistaken belief that he had fathered another child, an episode he tried to suppress with super-injunctions, had placed his marriage under strain.

The Guardian

If Louis van Gaal turns out to be mistaken and David de Gea does accept Real Madrid's invitation to ease out Iker Casillas, the goalkeeper they called San Iker in happier times at the Bernabéu, presumably the outstanding performer of Manchester United's season will know in advance that it might be a more complicated business than many people realise.

The Guardian - Sport

It raised the distinct possibility, the judge said, that Hallam and his friend Harrington had merely been mistaken as to when they had met and that he had not – as was claimed – concocted an alibi.

The Guardian

But academics in the US who have been trying to solve the mystery believe these El Salvadorians to be mistaken.

The Guardian

That was the mistaken assumption made by the Today programme, which asked Linehan if he had "changed it much".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mistaken" as an adjective, ensure clarity by specifying what the subject is mistaken about. For example, instead of just saying "He was mistaken", say "He was mistaken about the date."

Common error

Avoid using "mistaken" when you mean something is simply lost or absent. "Mistaken" implies an error in judgment or understanding, not just a lack of something.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mistaken" is as an adjective describing something that is incorrect or based on an error. It also functions as the past participle of the verb "mistake", indicating a state of being wrongly identified or understood, as Ludwig AI suggests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "mistaken" functions primarily as an adjective or past participle, indicating an error or misunderstanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's very commonly found in "News & Media", with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using "mistaken", ensure clarity by specifying what the subject is mistaken about and avoid confusing it with "missing". Common alternatives include "incorrect", "inaccurate", and "erroneous". Overall, "mistaken" is a versatile term for conveying errors across a broad range of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incorrect

Focuses on the state of being wrong or inaccurate, similar to "mistaken".

inaccurate

Emphasizes a lack of precision or correctness, closely related to being "mistaken".

erroneous

Highlights a deviation from what is true or correct, akin to being "mistaken".

wrong

A general term for not being correct or true, similar in meaning to "mistaken".

fallacious

Indicates a deceptive or misleading quality, related to the idea of being "mistaken".

misinformed

Implies a lack of correct information, leading to being "mistaken".

deluded

Suggests being deceived or misled, resulting in being "mistaken".

under a misapprehension

Highlights holding an incorrect understanding, comparable to being "mistaken".

in error

Directly states the condition of being wrong, similar to "mistaken".

laboring under a delusion

Indicates holding a false belief, leading to being "mistaken" about something.

FAQs

How can I use "mistaken" in a sentence?

You can use "mistaken" as an adjective, as in "That was a "mistaken assumption"", or as the past participle of the verb "mistake", as in "I was "mistaken for" my brother".

What's a good alternative to saying someone is "mistaken"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "incorrect", "inaccurate", or "erroneous". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "mistaken identity" or "wrong identity"?

"Mistaken identity" is the more common and idiomatic phrase. While "wrong identity" is understandable, it's less frequently used in formal writing.

What's the difference between "mistaken" and "misguided"?

"Mistaken" typically refers to a specific error or misunderstanding, while "misguided" suggests that someone's actions are based on faulty reasoning or principles. Someone can be "mistaken" about a fact, but "misguided" in their approach.