What does the phrasal verb “mistake for” mean?

What are the definitions of “mistake for”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. To confuse or mix up one thing with another.

  I had mistaken friendship for love.

• 2. To wrongly identify or confuse someone or something with another person or thing.

  The gunman had mistaken him for a drug dealer.

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “mistake for”?

The phrasal verb mistake for is primarily used to describe confusing or mixing up one thing with another, especially when wrongly identifying someone or something as something else. This meaning is more commonly used than the alternative.

What are the different verb forms of “mistake for”?

Root Verb	*mistake for*
Third Person Singular Present	*mistakes for*
Present Participle	*mistaking for*
Simple Past	*mistook for*
Past Participle	*mistaken for*

Example

I had mistaken friendship for love.

Example

She sometimes mistakes people for their siblings.

Example

They were mistaking the actor for someone they knew.

Example

Last night, I mistook you for someone else in the dark.

Example

He was mistaken for a celebrity due to his striking resemblance.

What kind of phrasal verb is “mistake for”?

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a transitive and intransitive verb?
- A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.)
- An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)

Transitive verb

“mistake for” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.

Example

I had mistaken friendship for love.

Example

She mistook the cat for a wild animal in the shadows.

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb?
- A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle.
- An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.

Inseparable

“mistake for” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.

Example

I had mistaken friendship for love.

Example

She mistook the cat for a wild animal in the shadows.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “mistake for”?

Confuse or mix up identities

To describe the action of confusing or mixing up one thing, person, or concept with another.

Example

I had mistaken friendship for love.

Wrongly identify someone or something

To refer to the act of wrongly identifying or confusing someone or something with another person or thing.

Example

The gunman had mistaken him for a drug dealer.

Good things to know

Does “mistake for” have an informal or formal tone?

The phrasal verb mistake for is used in various contexts and is appropriate for both casual and formal conversations, as well as written communication.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “mistake for”?

Synonyms

• misidentify
• misinterpret
• confuse with
• mix up

Antonyms

• differentiate
• recognize
• distinguish
• identify correctly