mistakenly think that

USAGE SUMMARY

"mistakenly think that" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is used in situations where someone is under the wrong impression about something. For example: Many people mistakenly think that past mistakes cannot be forgiven.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In his research, he discovered that latent images may be of concern not only to wrongdoers, but also to ordinary people who mistakenly think that have expunged snapshots from their camera cards before selling them.

The New York Times

Some people mistakenly think that MPT suggests they should buy and hold a low-cost stock index fund.

Forbes

Brown, and burgundy and dark blue look almost like black in most environments and no one can "mistakenly" think that your tape is theirs.

WikiHow

It might also happen because you're thinking of the word sleep when you read the related list, which leads you mistakenly think that you actually did read the word later on.

The Guardian

Surprising to those feminists who mistakenly think that biology can only work against women.

Harvard University

We mistakenly think that being competitive and pushing ourselves hard is required for success.

Stanford University

"Tough" managers often mistakenly think that putting pressure on employees will increase performance.

Harvard Business Review

The institutions, he said, mistakenly think that they are lowering their correlations to the market.

The New York Times

"People mistakenly think that tapping is not as distracting as talking," she said.

The New York Times

Yet, many also mistakenly think that the value of startups lies in their ability to generate new ideas.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

People mistakenly think that their professional headline and their current job title are the same thing, but they are not.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mistakenly think that", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the incorrectness of the thought. Provide evidence or reasoning to support the claim that the thought is, in fact, mistaken.

Common error

Avoid using "mistakenly think that" when the belief is subjective or a matter of opinion. This phrase is best suited for factual inaccuracies, not differing viewpoints.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mistakenly think that" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a subsequent belief or thought is based on an error or misunderstanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used when someone is under the wrong impression. The phrase introduces a proposition that the speaker or writer believes to be factually incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

22%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mistakenly think that" is a versatile and frequently used phrase for identifying and correcting inaccurate beliefs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. The phrase serves to clarify understanding by highlighting the error and suggesting a more accurate perspective. To use it effectively, ensure the context clearly demonstrates the incorrectness of the thought, and avoid applying it to subjective opinions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incorrectly believe that

Emphasizes the falsity of the belief, suggesting a lack of correctness.

wrongly assume that

Highlights the act of making an incorrect assumption.

erroneously believe that

Formally indicates a belief based on error.

falsely assume that

Similar to wrongly assume, but with a stronger connotation of falsehood.

misconceive that

Focuses on the faulty understanding leading to the incorrect thought.

misinterpret that

Highlights the act of interpreting information incorrectly, leading to a mistaken belief.

labor under the misapprehension that

A more elaborate way of expressing a mistaken understanding, often implying a prolonged or persistent error.

be under the illusion that

Suggests a deceptive belief, as if influenced by an illusion.

take it for granted that

Implies accepting something as true without questioning, which might lead to error.

jump to the conclusion that

Indicates a hasty decision based on incomplete or incorrect information.

FAQs

How can I use "mistakenly think that" in a sentence?

Use "mistakenly think that" to point out a common misconception. For example, "Many people "mistakenly think that" all fats are bad for you".

What's the difference between "mistakenly think that" and "incorrectly believe that"?

"Mistakenly think that" implies an error in thought, while "incorrectly believe that" emphasizes the falsity of the belief itself. They are very similar, but the former focuses on the process, and the latter on the state of believing.

What are some alternatives to "mistakenly think that"?

Alternatives include "wrongly assume that", "erroneously believe that", or "falsely assume that", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "mistakenly think that"?

No, it's not appropriate if the 'mistake' is a matter of opinion or preference. Use it when there's a demonstrably incorrect factual belief. For example, using it would be wrong to say "People mistakenly think that vanilla ice cream is the best flavor".