mistakenly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mistakenly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an action that was done in error or by accident. Example: "She mistakenly sent the email to the wrong recipient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The original misattributed words spoken by Laurie Brown to Phillip Costa and mistakenly said Costa said he may have given instructions for the cabinet minute to be changed and admitted making alterations.

The Guardian

In reply to a message sent in September 2011 by adviser Huma Abedin to Clinton's personal email account, which contained an AP story about a drone strike in Pakistan, Clinton mistakenly replied with questions that appear to be about decorations.

The Guardian

The case against him collapsed after it emerged in court that he had a letter from 2007 that mistakenly suggested he was immune from prosecution in relation to the bombing.

The Guardian

In November 2013, an agent mistakenly left a bullet from his gun in the hotel room of a woman he met in a Washington bar and alerted hotel staff when she would not let him back into the room.

The Guardian

"This position at a small weekly paper in regional NSW has been mistakenly advertised as a combined role.

The Guardian

A friend or colleague amasses a tremendous amount of knowledge in some arcane or specialized field and mistakenly thinks this proficiency applies to everything.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are few things that annoy me more than being mistakenly called English.

The Guardian - Opinion

The case against him collapsed after it emerged in court that he had a letter from 2007 that mistakenly suggested he was immune from prosecution over the Hyde Park atrocity.

The Guardian

Anthony Perosi, 56, bought the ticket on 14 March, but a friend mistakenly told him that someone else had won.

The Guardian

Consider, for example, the emails sent by Jeremy Hunt's aide to the News International lobbyist Frédéric Michel and Cameron's texts to Brooks signed "LOL" (meaning, as he mistakenly supposed, "lots of love").

The Guardian - Opinion

It mistakenly referred to National Rail instead of Network Rail in the standfirst.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When correcting information, use "mistakenly" to gently point out the error without assigning blame. For example, "It was mistakenly reported that...".

Common error

While "mistakenly" is acceptable, overuse can dilute the impact of your writing. In formal documents or when precision is key, consider stronger synonyms like "erroneously" or "incorrectly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "mistakenly" primarily functions to modify verbs, indicating that an action was performed based on an error or misunderstanding. Ludwig shows examples where it clarifies the manner in which something was done, adding context to the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mistakenly" is a versatile adverb used to indicate that an action was performed based on a misunderstanding or error. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, from formal news reports to general communications. While synonyms like "erroneously" or "incorrectly" may be preferable in certain formal settings, "mistakenly" remains a reliable and commonly understood term. The frequency analysis indicates its prevalence in News & Media sources, highlighting its role in explaining errors and providing context. Therefore, writers can confidently use "mistakenly" to convey unintentional actions resulting from errors, keeping in mind the subtle nuances of its synonyms for specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erroneously

Formal synonym indicating an action based on incorrect information.

incorrectly

Indicates something done not in accordance with facts or rules.

wrongly

General term for doing something not right or justly.

inadvertently

Implies lack of attention, resulting in an unintentional action.

unintentionally

Directly conveys the absence of intention in the action.

by accident

Highlights the accidental nature of the action.

by mistake

Emphasizes the error as the cause of the action.

through an error

Focuses on the presence of an error as the cause.

in error

A more formal way to say "by mistake".

by oversight

Suggests the action occurred because something was overlooked.

FAQs

How can I use "mistakenly" in a sentence?

You can use "mistakenly" to indicate that an action was done in error. For example, "I "mistakenly" assumed the meeting was cancelled".

What are some synonyms for "mistakenly"?

Alternatives to "mistakenly" include "erroneously", "incorrectly", or "inadvertently", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it always appropriate to use "mistakenly" in formal writing?

While "mistakenly" is generally acceptable, more formal synonyms like "erroneously" or "incorrectly" may be more suitable in certain professional contexts.

What is the difference between "mistakenly" and "accidentally"?

"Mistakenly" implies an action done based on a wrong assumption, while "accidentally" suggests an unintentional action. You might "mistakenly" grab the wrong coat because you thought it was yours, but you accidentally spill coffee when you trip.