mistaken

Everyday

1. Wrong in what you think or believe: «You are mistaken». tree →
2. «Mistaken for» means thought to be someone or something else: «He was mistaken for his twin». tree →
3. Based on a wrong idea: «a mistaken belief». tree →

In the lessons

In stories and polite talk it is a gentle way to say someone is wrong: «I think you're mistaken». In science lessons: «a mistaken idea» or misconception, for example that heavy things always fall faster. Phrases: «mistaken identity», «if I'm not mistaken».

Examples

• I'm sorry, you are mistaken; this is my bag. tree →
• She was mistaken for her older sister. tree →
• If I'm not mistaken, the bus leaves at eight. tree →
• It is a mistaken idea that bats are blind. tree →
• The police arrested the wrong man in a case of mistaken identity. tree →
• I had mistaken the date of the party. tree →
• He was mistaken about the answer. tree →
• But in this he was mistaken! tree →

Note

Verb forms: mistake, mistook, mistaken (irregular, like take, took, taken). «You are mistaken» is more polite than «You are wrong». Adverb: «mistakenly».