Have you ever paused while typing and wondered, “Is it mistakingly or mistakenly?” 🤔 You’re not alone this is one of those tiny spelling traps that can make even confident writers second-guess themselves.
You’re writing an email, a social media post, or an important article, using the correct form matters more than you think.
In this guide, we’ll clear up the confusion once and for all, so you never have to hesitate again when choosing between mistakingly and mistakenly. ✍️
⚡ Quick Answer
- ✅ Correct: Mistakenly
- ❌ Incorrect: Mistakingly
👉 Always use “mistakenly” when you want to describe doing something by mistake.
Meaning and Definition of “Mistakenly”
The word “mistakenly” is an adverb. It describes an action that is done by mistake or due to misunderstanding.
Simple Definition:
Mistakenly = in a wrong way or by accident
Examples:
- I mistakenly sent the email to the wrong person.
- She mistakenly believed the information was true.
- They mistakenly assumed the meeting was canceled.
👉 Notice how it always explains how something happened—incorrectly or by accident.
What About “Mistakingly”?
Here’s the truth:
👉 “Mistakingly” is not a standard or correct English word.
While it might look like a natural variation (since “mistake” is a verb), it is considered incorrect in formal and modern English usage.
Why It Feels Right:
- It follows patterns like:
- taking → takingly
- breaking → breakingly
But English doesn’t always follow consistent rules. In this case, the correct adverb form comes from “mistaken”, not “mistaking.”
Why Confusion Happens
Let’s be honest—English can be confusing 😅
Here’s why people mix up mistakingly or mistakenly:
1. Similar Word Formation
People assume:
- mistake → mistaking → mistakingly
But the correct formation is:
- mistake → mistaken → mistakenly
2. Influence of Verb Forms
Since we commonly use:
- I am mistaking this for something else
It feels natural to extend it to mistakingly, even though it’s incorrect.
3. Autocorrect Doesn’t Always Help
Some devices may not flag “mistakingly” immediately, leading to repeated use.
Grammar Rules You Should Know
Understanding the grammar behind “mistakenly” makes things easier.
Rule #1: Adverbs Often Come from Past Participles
- mistaken → mistakenly
- broken → brokenly (rare, but follows pattern)
👉 “Mistakenly” comes from mistaken, not “mistaking.”
Rule #2: Use Adverbs to Describe Actions
Use “mistakenly” when describing how something happened.
✔ Correct:
- He mistakenly took my bag.
❌ Incorrect:
- He mistakingly took my bag.
Rule #3: Avoid Inventing Forms
Not every verb can form an adverb by adding -ly to the -ing form.
Memory Tricks (Easy Way to Remember) 🧠
Struggling to remember? Try these simple tricks:
✅ Trick #1: Think “Taken → Takenly”
- taken → (similar structure)
- mistaken → mistakenly
👉 If “takenly” sounds wrong, remember the pattern still applies to “mistakenly.”
✅ Trick #2: Focus on “Mistaken”
Say this sentence:
👉 “I was mistaken.”
Now add -ly:
👉 mistaken + ly = mistakenly
✅ Trick #3: Shortcut Rule
👉 If you see -ing, it’s probably wrong here.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Feature | Mistakenly ✅ | Mistakingly ❌ |
| Correct spelling | Yes | No |
| Part of speech | Adverb | Not standard |
| Usage | Formal & informal | Incorrect usage |
| Example | She mistakenly deleted the file | ❌ Incorrect |
| Acceptance | Widely accepted | Not accepted |
Examples of “Mistakenly” in Real Life
Let’s see how “mistakenly” works in different contexts:
1. Daily Conversation
- I mistakenly thought today was Sunday.
2. Workplace
- The report was mistakenly sent to the wrong department.
3. Academic Writing
- The data was mistakenly interpreted.
4. Social Media
- I mistakenly tagged the wrong person in my post.
5. Legal/Professional Context
- The payment was mistakenly issued twice.
👉 Notice how natural and flexible the word is.
🌍 British vs American English
Good news! 🎉
There is no difference between British and American English when it comes to “mistakingly or mistakenly.”
Both Use:
- ✅ Mistakenly (correct)
- ❌ Mistakingly (incorrect)
Examples:
American English:
- He mistakenly entered the wrong password.
British English:
- She mistakenly believed the train was delayed.
👉 Same spelling, same meaning, same usage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid 🚫
Here are some errors people often make:
❌ Incorrect:
- I mistakingly deleted the file.
- She mistakingly thought it was her phone.
✅ Correct:
- I mistakenly deleted the file.
- She mistakenly thought it was her phone.
Another Common Confusion
Some people confuse:
- mistakenly vs by mistake
👉 Both are correct, but used differently:
- I mistakenly called him.
- I called him by mistake.
✔ Same meaning, different structure.
Pro Tips to Avoid Mistakes 💡
Want to master this once and for all? Follow these tips:
✔ Tip 1: Stick with “Mistakenly”
If in doubt, always choose mistakenly.
✔ Tip 2: Read Your Sentence Out Loud
Does “mistakingly” sound awkward? It usually does.
✔ Tip 3: Use Grammar Tools
Tools like Grammarly can quickly flag incorrect usage.
✔ Tip 4: Practice with Simple Sentences
- I mistakenly forgot my keys.
- He mistakenly assumed I was busy.
✔ Tip 5: Avoid Overthinking
Sometimes simple is better—don’t try to invent new forms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is “mistakingly” ever correct?
No. It is not considered correct in standard English.
2. Why do people use “mistakingly”?
Because it sounds logical and follows common word patterns.
3. What is the correct word: mistakingly or mistakenly?
👉 Mistakenly is correct.
4. Can I use “mistakenly” in formal writing?
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in both formal and informal contexts.
5. What part of speech is “mistakenly”?
It is an adverb.
6. Is “mistakenly” used in both US and UK English?
Yes, both use it the same way.
7. What is a synonym for “mistakenly”?
- accidentally
- incorrectly
- wrongly
Conclusion
When it comes to “mistakingly or mistakenly,” the answer is clear and simple:
👉 “Mistakenly” is the only correct word.
“Mistakingly” might look right, but it doesn’t belong in standard English. By understanding the grammar, remembering simple tricks, and practicing real examples, you can confidently use the correct form every time.
