mistakenly thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mistakenly thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a belief or assumption that was incorrect or based on a misunderstanding. Example: "She mistakenly thought that the meeting was scheduled for Friday instead of Thursday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He mistakenly thought both were sex workers.

The Guardian

He mistakenly thought the shelter was closed for the weekend.

The New York Times

Many people mistakenly thought Mr. Carroll was Mr. Antar.

The New York Times

I mistakenly thought the Bryans were online as well.

The New Yorker

The Celtics mistakenly thought Vin Baker was that player.

The New York Times - Sports

The cops mistakenly thought the plaintiffs' car had been stolen.

The New York Times

No. 3230, mistakenly thought to be guaranteed by Article IV, § 2 of the Constitution.

Cornell University

Acne, one of the most common skin diseases, is often mistakenly thought to affect exclusively the teenaged group.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

One woman screamed because she mistakenly thought her husband had been the one injured.

The New York Times

There, too, confusion reigned: each mistakenly thought the other was the date of someone else.

The New York Times

First, I'd mistakenly thought that this supposed miracle of nature arrived in berry form.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mistakenly thought" to introduce a contrast between someone's incorrect belief and the actual state of affairs.

Common error

Avoid using "mistakenly thought" when the intent is to express a desire or hope, rather than an actual, though incorrect, belief. "Mistakenly thought" implies a genuine error in understanding, not simply wishful thinking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mistakenly thought" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past state of incorrect belief or assumption. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable in written English. It introduces a discrepancy between what someone believed and the actual truth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mistakenly thought" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote an incorrect belief or assumption. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showing numerous examples across diverse sources, including news media, scientific articles, and encyclopedias. While neutral in tone, its effective use relies on providing a clear contrast between the incorrect belief and the actual truth. When writing, remember to clarify the correct understanding to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "incorrectly believed" or "erroneously assumed" can be used to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incorrectly believed

Focuses on the incorrectness of the belief, similar to "mistakenly thought".

erroneously assumed

Emphasizes the faulty assumption leading to the incorrect thought.

falsely believed

Highlights the falsity of the belief, suggesting a stronger deviation from truth.

wrongly assumed

Indicates an assumption made in error, synonymous with "mistakenly thought".

misunderstood

Suggests a failure to correctly grasp or interpret something.

labored under the misapprehension

A more formal way of saying someone had a mistaken understanding.

was under the illusion

Implies a deceptive appearance led to the mistaken thought.

deceived oneself into believing

Highlights self-deception as the reason for the incorrect thought.

took it for granted

Indicates an assumption made without proper consideration or evidence.

jumped to the conclusion

Implies a hasty and unwarranted assumption.

FAQs

How can I use "mistakenly thought" in a sentence?

You can use "mistakenly thought" to indicate that someone had an incorrect belief or assumption about something. For example, "She "mistakenly thought" the meeting was on Friday, but it was actually on Thursday."

What are some alternatives to "mistakenly thought"?

Alternatives to "mistakenly thought" include "incorrectly believed", "erroneously assumed", or "falsely believed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "mistakenly thought" grammatically correct?

Yes, "mistakenly thought" is grammatically correct. It is a common and accepted way to express that someone held a belief that was not accurate.

What is the difference between "mistakenly thought" and "assumed"?

"Mistakenly thought" implies that the thought was incorrect, whereas "assumed" simply means that something was taken for granted without proof. If the assumption turns out to be wrong, then "mistakenly thought" would be appropriate.