What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mistakenly
Example
I mistakenly thought the store was open until 9 pm. [mistakenly: adverb]
Example
She mistakenly believed that he was the one who stole her phone. [mistakenly: adverb]
falsely
Example
He was falsely accused of stealing the money from the cash register. [falsely: adverb]
Example
The article falsely claimed that the company was going bankrupt. [falsely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mistakenly is more commonly used than falsely in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and is more neutral in connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mistakenly and falsely?
Both mistakenly and falsely are appropriate for formal and informal contexts, but falsely may be more commonly used in legal or academic settings where accuracy and precision are important.
