mistake in vs mistake for

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Mistake in' is used when referring to an error or fault within something, while 'mistake for' is used when someone or something is wrongly identified as someone or something else.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 780 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"mistake in"

This phrase is used when referring to an error or fault within something. For example, 'There seems to be a mistake in the calculations.'

Examples:

There is a mistake in the report.
I found a mistake in the code.
She noticed a mistake in the painting.

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I made a mistake in the second phrase.
Even Bill Murray makes that mistake in the first scene of Ghostbusters.
I won't make that mistake in the future.
I've made a mistake in the construction.
A small mistake in the writing.
Maybe you made a mistake in the programming.
I regret to inform you that there has been a mistake in tabulating the election results.
No, he made a mistake in Germany.
One mistake in life is allowed.
Everybody gets one big mistake in life and one opportunity to fix it.
We just thought he did because we made a mistake in the translation.
It was a simple mistake in addition.
Gilles Savary drew attention to a mistake in the French version of amendment 48.
Georg Jarzembowski drew attention to a mistake in the German version of the common position.
He admits his mistake in falsifying his application.
There is a mistake in the German translation of my recital B).
I believe this to be a mistake in WTO policy.
Perhaps there was a mistake in planning or not enough control...
Madam President, there is a mistake in the EPP voting list.
There is therefore a mistake in the translation.

Alternatives:

error in
fault in
flaw in
error within
fault within

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"mistake for"

This phrase is used when someone or something is wrongly identified as someone or something else. For example, 'I think you mistook me for someone else.'

Examples:

She mistook him for his brother.
I was mistaken for a famous actor.
Don't mistake my kindness for weakness.

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Yet another mistake for Mr. Fantastic.
It would be a big mistake for you to dismiss me, Harry.
Yet another mistake for Mr. Fantastic.
It's a one-time mistake for which the deputy commissioner is extremely embarrassed.
It is a mistake for which the entire planet will pay.
Susan Wright was a mistake for the defence.
It was a mistake for me to ever take that promotion.
It's an easy mistake for the untrained eye.
That could be a big mistake for me, marriage.
This, I believe, is a mistake for three reasons.
I knew it was a great mistake for a man like me to fall in love.
It was a mistake for me to carve the runes.
Together, these three discrimination steps enable replication fidelity of less than one mistake for every 109 nucleotides added.
So here are 5 pointers to make no mistake for choosing a solicitor.
The unusual commuting arrangement that had lasted six months had been far too tiring psychologically, physically and financially... in short, a big mistake for everyone.
might be a great mistake for her.
It is a mistake for them to do so when they are only getting 2.25:1.
It is not a mistake for them to call with A-10 out of position when they are getting 3.5:1 on their money.
Given that these behaviours are not always clear, it would have been a mistake for the ECB to continue to depend on the judgements of rating agencies.
That would be a mistake for both countries and for the European Union.

Alternatives:

confuse for
mix up with
misidentify as
take for
confound with

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mistake in vs mistake for

"mistake in"

"mistake for"

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