# mistaking

/mɪˈsteɪkɪŋ/ (US) · /mɪstˈeɪkɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mistaking
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

thinking that someone or something is actually someone or something else. You use this when you make a wrong judgment or identify something incorrectly.

For teachers: identifying someone or something incorrectly; confusing one person or thing with another. Present participle of 'mistake' used to describe an ongoing error in judgment or perception.

## Examples

- I am always mistaking him for his twin brother.
- By mistaking the salt for sugar, she accidentally ruined the entire batch of cookies.
- The witness admitted to mistaking the defendant for the actual perpetrator due to the poor lighting conditions and the high-stress nature of the encounter.

## Pitfalls

- Not "mistaking him with his brother" but "mistaking him for his brother" — The verb 'mistake' collocations with 'for' rather than 'with' when identifying the object of the confusion.

## Usage notes

- Often takes the preposition 'for' to indicate the incorrect identification.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.