that were mistaken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were mistaken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to things or people that have been incorrectly identified or understood in a particular context. Example: "The assumptions that were mistaken led to a series of errors in the final report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"To its credit, the Red Cross acknowledged its mistakes and changed some of its policies that were mistaken," he said.

The New York Times

The company, Interference Inc., said it learned of the situation after a man installed the devices, advertisements for a Cartoon Network show that were mistaken for bombs, on bridges and in other public areas.

The New York Times

One of two men facing criminal charges for placing advertisements that were mistaken for bombs in the Boston area videotaped the bomb squad investigating the devices and notified his employer but not the authorities, his lawyers said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

That is mistaken.

The New York Times

That's mistaken thinking.

Forbes

It turns out that's mistaken.

Huffington Post

I've had whole collections that were mistakes.

The New York Times

In the view-only condition, trees were also struck; that is, mistakes were also modeled.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

That was mistake No. 1.

Huffington Post

But that optimism was mistaken.

The New York Times

Whittemore replied that Saradzhev was mistaken.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that were mistaken", ensure the context clearly identifies what entity or concept was incorrectly perceived. The phrase is most effective when the correction or clarification is also presented.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple clauses with "that were mistaken". Simplify the sentence structure for clarity. Instead of complex clauses, try breaking the initial sentence to increase readability and overall quality of writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were mistaken" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun. It provides additional information about the noun, specifying that it was based on an incorrect perception or understanding. Ludwig examples show its use in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that were mistaken" functions as a relative clause, indicating that certain assumptions or perceptions were incorrect. While not extremely common, it finds frequent usage in news and media, serving to clarify or correct previously held beliefs. Ludwig AI deems the phrase grammatically correct and usable, with related alternatives including "that were incorrect" or "that were erroneous". When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what was mistakenly perceived for optimal clarity and effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that were incorrect

Focuses on the factual inaccuracy rather than the act of mistaking.

that were inaccurate

Highlights the lack of precision or exactness.

that were erroneous

Emphasizes the presence of error or deviation from what is correct.

that were wrong

A more general term indicating a deviation from what is right or true.

that were flawed

Suggests an imperfection or defect.

that were misguided

Implies a poor judgment or misdirection.

that were fallacious

Highlights the deceptive or misleading nature of something.

that were misinterpreted

Emphasizes the incorrect understanding of something.

that were misconceived

Focuses on the faulty initial idea or conception.

that were unfounded

Implies a lack of evidence or basis.

FAQs

How can I use "that were mistaken" in a sentence?

Use "that were mistaken" to describe assumptions, beliefs, or actions that turned out to be incorrect. For example, "The assumptions "that were mistaken" led to flawed conclusions".

What are some alternatives to "that were mistaken"?

You can use alternatives such as "that were incorrect", "that were inaccurate", or "that were erroneous" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "that were mistaken" formal or informal?

"That were mistaken" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, such as news articles, reports, and academic writing. It is generally acceptable in most writing scenarios.

What's the difference between "that were mistaken" and "that were wrong"?

"That were mistaken" implies an error in perception or judgment, while "that were wrong" is a more general term indicating something is incorrect. The former is often used when explaining how an error occurred.