What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mistaking
Example
I mistook her for my sister because they look so alike. [mistook: past tense]
Example
He made the mistake of assuming that I was the one who broke the vase. [mistake: noun]
Example
There was a mistaking of his intentions, which led to a lot of confusion. [mistaking: gerund or present participle]
misunderstanding
Example
There was a misunderstanding between us about the meeting time, which caused us to arrive late. [misunderstanding: noun]
Example
She misunderstood my comment and thought I was being sarcastic. [misunderstood: past tense]
Example
The misunderstanding arose from a miscommunication in the email thread. [misunderstanding: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Misunderstanding is more commonly used than mistaking in everyday language. Misunderstanding is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while mistaking is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mistaking and misunderstanding?
Both mistaking and misunderstanding are neutral terms that can be used in both formal and informal contexts without any significant difference in formality level.
