was mistaken

USAGE SUMMARY

"was mistaken" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making a statement to imply that something was assumed but proven wrong. For example, "He thought the shop would be open late, but he was mistaken."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was mistaken.

The New York Times

I was mistaken.

The New York Times

"Unfortunately, I was mistaken".

The New York Times

But he was mistaken.

The New York Times

But that optimism was mistaken.

The New York Times

"I think he was mistaken".

The New York Times - Health

Perhaps the summary was mistaken.

The New Yorker

Everybody, it seems, was mistaken.

The New York Times

Perhaps I was mistaken.

The Guardian - Sport

Alas, he was mistaken".

The Guardian

But she was mistaken.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When following "was mistaken" with a statement of fact, provide context to clarify the accurate information. This helps in guiding the reader to the correct understanding without leaving room for doubt.

Common error

While "was mistaken" is acceptable, over-reliance on passive voice can make writing seem less direct. Consider rephrasing to use a more active voice for impact, such as "I mistakenly believed" or "He miscalculated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was mistaken" functions as a past tense verb phrase indicating that someone held an incorrect belief or made an error in judgment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was mistaken" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to acknowledge a past error in judgment or belief. Ludwig confirms this with numerous real-world examples from reputable sources. The phrase is typically used in a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news and media. While "was mistaken" is a polite way to admit an error, it's crucial to provide context and clarify the correct information. Remember to avoid overuse of passive voice and consider using more active phrasing when appropriate for greater impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was wrong

A more direct and simpler way of saying someone's assessment or belief was incorrect.

was in error

A slightly more formal way to indicate that someone's understanding or calculation was incorrect.

was incorrect

Similar to "was wrong", but can imply a factual inaccuracy rather than just a matter of opinion.

misunderstood

Focuses on the lack of comprehension leading to the mistake.

had the wrong impression

Suggests the initial understanding was flawed, leading to an incorrect conclusion.

was under the misapprehension

A more elaborate and formal way of saying someone had a mistaken belief.

was off base

An informal way of saying someone's assessment or statement was incorrect.

was off the mark

Similar to "was off base", indicating an inaccurate or misguided assessment.

erred

A concise, slightly formal term for making a mistake.

judged incorrectly

Emphasizes the faulty judgment that led to the mistake.

FAQs

How can I use "was mistaken" in a sentence?

You can use "was mistaken" to express that a previous belief or assessment was incorrect. For example, "I thought the meeting was at 2 PM, but I "was mistaken"; it's at 3 PM."

What is a more formal alternative to "was mistaken"?

A more formal alternative would be "was in error" or "was incorrect". These phrases convey a similar meaning but are suitable for professional contexts.

Is it better to say "was mistaken" or "was wrong"?

Both "was mistaken" and "was wrong" are correct, but "was mistaken" is often perceived as more polite or less direct. The choice depends on the context and the desired level of directness. Using phrases like "was incorrect" or "misunderstood" may also be appropriate.

What's the difference between "was mistaken" and "had the wrong impression"?

"Was mistaken" generally refers to a specific error in fact or understanding. "Had the wrong impression" suggests a more general misunderstanding or misinterpretation of a situation, which can also happen when someone misunderstood.