"mistake in" vs "mistake for"

Question

"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

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.

Alternatives:

error in
fault in
flaw in
error within
fault within

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.

Alternatives:

confuse for
mix up with
misidentify as
take for
confound with

Answer 1

mistake in

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

mistake for

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"mistake in" vs "mistake for"

mistake in

mistake for

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