mistaken at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mistaken at" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used, and the intended meaning may be unclear without additional context. Example: "He was mistaken at the meeting about the project's deadline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The lone consolation is that conventional wisdom has been mistaken at every step of the campaign.

Independent

The speech could have easily been mistaken, at times, for a campaign speech.

The New York Times

It is sometimes mistaken, at least initially, for a psychiatric disorder.

The New York Times

His rectangles of pale color might be mistaken at first glance for single-color abstract paintings.

The New York Times - Arts

The system comes with a receiver that could be mistaken, at first glance, for a radar detector.

The New York Times

In becoming baseball's version of Forrest Gump, Rodriguez could be mistaken at times for a hyperinvolved high school student seeking a prominent place in every yearbook photograph.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The sources were at best mistaken and at worst liars.

Huffington Post

This, however, is mistaken for at least two reasons.

SEP

As the Washington Post recently reported, The president is mistaken -- at least when it comes to the patent system as it relates to software patents.

Huffington Post

I'm not sure what time Sankeys closed, I have a feeling it was 7, though I could be mistaken... at some point the music stops and we leave anyway.

Vice

No mistakes at all.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer more standard alternatives like "wrong about" or "incorrect in" to ensure clarity and avoid potential misinterpretations of the phrase "mistaken at".

Common error

Avoid using "mistaken at" when a more precise preposition like "about", "in", or "regarding" would better clarify the subject of the error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mistaken at" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a state of being incorrect or in error with regard to something. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it's not the most grammatically sound or widely accepted construction. Instead more explicit alternatives are advisable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "mistaken at" is encountered in various sources, including news and encyclopedias, it is generally considered grammatically questionable. As Ludwig AI points out, it's advisable to opt for more standard and precise alternatives like "wrong about" or "incorrect in" to ensure clarity in your writing. Although the phrase appears commonly, adopting clearer alternatives enhances both correctness and style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wrong about

Replaces "mistaken at" with a more common and direct expression of being incorrect regarding a specific subject.

in the mistaken belief that

Directly points out that the belief held is incorrect.

incorrect in

Offers a more formal alternative, suitable when precise language is preferred.

in error about

Similar to "wrong about", but slightly more formal and emphatic.

under a misapprehension regarding

Indicates a misunderstanding or incorrect belief about something, highlighting the faulty perception.

labouring under the illusion that

Suggests a persistent, false belief, often implying self-deception.

deceived about

Implies an external source of misinformation leading to the mistaken belief.

misinformed about

Highlights the lack of accurate information as the cause of the error.

under the false impression that

Similar to "under a misapprehension", emphasizing the incorrect mental picture.

operating under a delusion regarding

Emphasizes a fixed, false belief, often with a psychological connotation.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "mistaken at"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "wrong about", "incorrect in", or "in error about".

Is "mistaken at" grammatically correct?

While sometimes used, "mistaken at" is not considered standard English. It's generally better to use phrases like "wrong about" or "incorrect in" for clarity.

How can I avoid using "mistaken at" in my writing?

Focus on identifying the specific subject about which someone is mistaken and use a more direct preposition, such as "He was wrong about the deadline".

What's the difference between "mistaken at" and "wrong about"?

"Wrong about" is a more common and widely accepted way to express that someone is incorrect regarding a particular matter. "Mistaken at" can sound awkward and is best avoided in formal writing.