mistaking them for

USAGE SUMMARY

"mistaking them for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone has incorrectly identified something or someone as being something or someone else. For example: I thought the blackbirds were crows, but I was mistaken them for.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Shoppers were always mistaking them for candied nuts.

The New Yorker

In at least one incident, security guards killed Somali fishermen, mistaking them for pirates.

The Economist

Attack helicopters killed 27 civilians in three trucks, mistaking them for the Taliban.

The New York Times

She was mistaking them for their fathers at a similar age.

The New York Times

The animals suffer intestinal blockages from eating balloons, apparently mistaking them for jellyfish, naturalists say.

The New York Times

After several confusing minutes, commanders realized that the Afghan police had attacked the British troops, mistaking them for Taliban fighters.

The New York Times

It is thought that attacks on small boats are antipredator behaviour, with the hippos mistaking them for crocodiles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A string of South African men have recently shot family members after apparently mistaking them for intruders.

The Economist

Fox news reported the blasts could be heard from within the ground, with some fans mistaking them for fireworks.

Independent

Indian officials say the marines shot at the fishermen near the coast of Kerala State after mistaking them for pirates.

The New York Times

In February, a French airstrike, mistaking them for insurgents, killed seven boys while they were herding sheep not far from Tagab.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "mistaking them for", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being mistaken and what they are being mistaken for. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity for the reader.

Common error

A common mistake is using the phrase without a clear referent for "them". Always ensure that the pronoun "them" clearly refers to a specific group or set of objects to prevent confusion. For example, instead of "they were mistaking them for pirates", clarify who "they" are.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mistaking them for" functions as a prepositional phrase, often following a verb to describe the reason for an action based on a misidentification. Ludwig AI and the examples confirm this usage, showcasing its role in clarifying the motivation behind actions stemming from mistaken perceptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

19%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mistaking them for" is a versatile phrase used to explain actions resulting from misidentification, and it's considered grammatically correct as per Ludwig AI. The phrase sees frequent usage in news and media, wiki articles and formal business settings. To ensure clarity, always make sure "them" has a clear referent. You can use alternatives such as "confusing them with" or "misidentifying them as" to add nuance. When incorporating "mistaking them for" into your writing, remember to ensure a clear context to avoid ambiguity and maintain grammatical accuracy. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase’s pervasiveness across various sources demonstrates its wide acceptance and utility in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erroneously identifying them as

Highlights the error in identification, emphasizing the mistake in recognition.

confusing them with

Focuses on the act of confusing, implying a lack of clarity or distinction.

misidentifying them as

Highlights the incorrect identification, emphasizing the mistake in recognition.

falsely assuming them to be

Focuses on the false assumption about their identity or nature.

taking them as

Indicates an assumption or belief that is incorrect.

believing them to be

Focuses on the false belief or assumption about their identity or nature.

regarding them as

Suggests a particular view or opinion that is inaccurate.

perceiving them as

Emphasizes the sensory or cognitive process leading to a misinterpretation.

presuming them to be

Implies a premature or unwarranted assumption.

imagining them as

Focuses on a more fanciful or unrealistic misinterpretation.

FAQs

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

Use "mistaking them for" to describe when someone incorrectly identifies a person or thing as something else. For example, "The security guards shot at the fishermen after "mistaking them for" pirates".

What are some alternatives to "mistaking them for"?

Alternatives include "confusing them with", "misidentifying them as", or "taking them as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "mistaking them for"?

Yes, "mistaking them for" is grammatically correct when used to indicate a case of mistaken identity or misidentification. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

What's the difference between "mistaking them for" and "believing them to be"?

"Mistaking them for" implies a sensory or perceptual error, while "believing them to be" suggests a cognitive judgment based on possibly flawed information.