"a mistake with" vs "a mistake for"

Question

"a mistake with" vs "a mistake for"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'A mistake with' is used to indicate an error made in relation to something or someone, while 'a mistake for' is used to indicate a wrong identification or assumption of someone or something.

Last Updated: March 08, 2024

This phrase is used to indicate an error made in relation to something or someone. It is often followed by the thing or person that the mistake was made with.

Examples:

I made a mistake with the calculations.
She made a mistake with the address.
They made a mistake with the booking.
He admitted his mistake with the project.
The teacher pointed out the mistake with the grammar.

Alternatives:

an error with
a fault with
a blunder with
a slip-up with
a mix-up with

This phrase is used to indicate a wrong identification or assumption of someone or something. It is often followed by the person or thing that was mistaken for something else.

Examples:

I mistook her for her sister.
He mistook the salt for sugar.
They mistook the dog for a wolf.
She mistook his kindness for weakness.
The witness mistook the suspect for someone else.

Alternatives:

confused for
misidentified as
took for
mixed up with
misconstrued as

Answer 1

a mistake with

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

a mistake for

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"a mistake with" vs "a mistake for"

a mistake with

a mistake for

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