ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mistaken

adj.
B1 Intermediate US //mɪˈsteɪkən// UK //mɪstˈeɪkən// mis·tak·en

adj. wrong about something or based on a wrong idea. You use this when someone has the facts mixed up or understands a situation incorrectly.

adj. incorrect in one's opinion, judgment, or perception; based on an error in fact or reasoning. Often follows a linking verb such as 'be', 'seem', or 'appear'.


SIMPLE

I was mistaken about the time of the meeting.

CONTEXTUAL

The witness was mistaken about the color of the car, which led the police in the wrong direction.

COMPLEX

His belief that the market would recover by spring proved mistaken, as economic indicators continued to signal a deep and prolonged recession.

Synonyms
Origin

Morphologically mistake + -n.

Usage

Commonly follows the verb 'to be' or 'to prove'. Often takes a 'that' clause or the preposition 'about'.

Pitfall

I am mistakeI am mistakenLearners often use the noun 'mistake' where the adjective 'mistaken' is required to describe a person's state of being wrong.

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