ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mistakenly

adv. manner
B2 Upper Intermediate US //mɪˈsteɪkənɫi// UK //mɪstˈeɪkənli// mis·tak·en·ly

adv. by accident or because you have the wrong idea about something. You use this when you do something you did not mean to do.

adv. in an erroneous manner; resulting from a misunderstanding or an accidental oversight.


SIMPLE

I mistakenly sent the email to the wrong person.

CONTEXTUAL

The museum staff mistakenly identified the replica as an original artifact during the initial cataloging process.

COMPLEX

The legal team argued that the defendant had mistakenly entered the restricted area, believing it to be a public thoroughfare due to the lack of clear signage.

Synonyms
Origin

From mistaken + -ly.

Usage

Typically placed before the main verb or at the start of a clause to modify the entire action.

Pitfall

I mistakenly to call himI mistakenly called himMistakenly is an adverb and should modify a conjugated verb, not an infinitive.

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