mistaking for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mistaking for" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has incorrectly identified or confused one thing or person for another. Example: Jane tripped in the dark, mistaking a pile of clothes for her cat.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

His antic, gum-chewing turn is pure throwaway shtick, but it shows up Mr. Burns, who in their scenes together stands around flat-footed, basking in his own cocky cuteness, which he, and the movie, persist in mistaking for style.

The New York Times

And what I returned to, eerily and almost tremulously, still held, Elena and the daughters — who went far and wide, as they pleased, who boldly roamed Manhattan, where their grandmother (I now heard it confirmed) was still installed in the deluxe sunset home that, very understandably, she kept mistaking for a hotel.

The New Yorker

-=-=-= And what I returned to, eerily and almost tremulously, still held, Elena and the daughters — who went far and wide, as they pleased, who boldly roamed Manhattan, where their grandmother (I now heard it confirmed) was still installed in the deluxe sunset home that, very understandably, she kept mistaking for a hotel.

The New Yorker

The concert in Wales sometimes includes Rule Britannia, with a verse in Welsh, but so far as I can tell neither Jerusalem nor Land of Hope and Glory has ever been included in any Proms concert outside England – the littler England that Tory MPs such as Bone and Cash still somehow persist in mistaking for Great Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

— then 'Desire' is a logical abstraction which we are mistaking for reality" (PE 129).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Total mistakes, for one thing.

The New York Times - Books

Sometimes they are mistaken for twins.

The New York Times - Sports

Sikhs are regularly mistaken for Muslims.

The New York Times

He is often mistaken for a dog.

The New York Times - Books

Driftwood logs are often mistaken for gators.

The New York Times - Sports

Another was mistaken for someone else.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mistaking for" when you want to clearly indicate that someone is confusing one thing or person with another due to a perceived similarity or misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid overusing "mistaking for" in formal or academic writing, where more precise language might be preferred. Consider stronger verbs or more descriptive phrases to convey the specific type of misidentification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mistaking for" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating misidentification or confusion. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness. It connects a subject with an object that is incorrectly identified, as exemplified in sentences where one thing is erroneously perceived as another.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mistaking for" is used to express the act of incorrectly identifying someone or something, a fact supported by Ludwig AI and the examples provided. While grammatically correct, its frequency is rare, primarily appearing in news and media, and science contexts. When writing, it's essential to ensure that "mistaking for" accurately conveys the sense of misidentification you intend. Consider alternatives like "confusing with" or "misidentifying as" for variations in meaning. This phrase functions neutrally and can be found in diverse sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confusing with

Focuses on the act of mixing up two things, implying a lack of clarity.

misidentifying as

Emphasizes the incorrect identification of something's true nature or identity.

taking for

Implies a belief that someone or something is actually something else, often due to a superficial resemblance.

erroneously identifying as

Highlights the error in the identification, suggesting a factual mistake.

falsely assuming to be

Focuses on the incorrect assumption that something is true.

misconstruing as

Suggests a misunderstanding of the meaning or nature of something.

believing to be wrongly

Emphasizes the incorrectness of the belief.

imagining as

Suggests that the identification is based on fantasy rather than reality.

misjudging as

Implies that the incorrect identification is due to poor judgment.

interpreting incorrectly as

Focuses on the act of interpreting something in a wrong way.

FAQs

How can I use "mistaking for" in a sentence?

You can use "mistaking for" to show that someone is confusing one thing or person with another. For example, "She was "mistaking the sound of rain for the ocean"".

What's a good alternative to "mistaking for"?

Alternatives to "mistaking for" include "confusing with", "misidentifying as", or "taking for". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "mistaking for" formal or informal?

"Mistaking for" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider whether a more precise term might be appropriate.

What's the difference between "mistaking for" and "confusing with"?

While similar, "mistaking for" often implies a temporary or accidental misidentification, whereas "confusing with" can suggest a more persistent or fundamental lack of clarity.