Have you ever typed a sentence and paused at the word mistakingly? You may have wondered, Is this correct, or should it be mistakenly? You are not alone.
Thousands of people search for “mistakingly or mistakenly” every month because both words look right, sound right, and even appear in real writing.
This creates confusion for students, bloggers, professionals, and non-native English learnersis mistakenly a word.
The problem is simple but important. Using the wrong word can make your writing look unpolished. In exams, emails, news articles, or SEO content, small mistakes matter.
Many people want a quick answer, but they also want to know why one form is preferred and when the other might still appear.
This guide solves that confusion. You will learn which spelling is correct, where both words came from, how British and American English treat them, and how to use the right form in daily writing.
By the end, you will never hesitate again when choosing between mistakingly or mistakenly.
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Mistakingly or Mistakenly – Quick Answer
Mistakenly is the correct and widely accepted word in modern English.
Mistakingly is considered nonstandard and is rarely used in professional writing.
Simple examples
✅ Correct:
- I mistakenly sent the email to the wrong person.
- She was mistakenly accused of cheating.
❌ Incorrect or discouraged:
- I mistakingly sent the email to the wrong person.
Most dictionaries, style guides, and grammar experts recommend mistakenly. While mistakingly exists, it is uncommon and often marked as incorrect or informal.
The Origin of Mistakingly or Mistakenly
To understand why this confusion exists, we need to look at word history.
Root word: Mistake
Both mistakenly and mistakingly come from the verb mistake, which entered English from Old Norse mistaka, meaning “to take in error.”
How adverbs are formed
In English, adverbs are often formed by adding -ly to adjectives.
- Mistaken (adjective) → mistakenly (adverb)
- He was mistaken. → He was mistakenly (in his belief)
This pattern is natural and common.
Why “mistakingly” appeared
Mistakingly is formed from the verb mistaking, not the adjective mistaken.
- Mistake → mistaking → mistakingly
This structure is less natural in English. Over time, writers preferred mistakenly because it sounds smoother and fits normal grammar rules.
Historical usage
- Mistakenly has been common since the 16th century.
- Mistakingly appeared later and never gained wide acceptance.
That is why modern English favors mistakenly almost everywhere.
British English vs American English Spelling
Many spelling debates exist because of British and American differences. However, this is not one of them.
Key point
Both British English and American English prefer mistakenly.
Comparison table
| Feature | British English | American English |
| Preferred form | Mistakenly | Mistakenly |
| “Mistakingly” usage | Rare, discouraged | Rare, discouraged |
| Dictionary support | Strong | Strong |
Examples
🇬🇧 British English:
- The letter was mistakenly delivered to the wrong house.
🇺🇸 American English:
- He was mistakenly identified as the suspect.
There is no regional difference here. The same rule applies worldwide.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
The answer depends on your audience, but the result is the same.
If your audience is American
✔ Always use mistakenly
It is the only form accepted in schools, offices, and media.
If your audience is British or Commonwealth
✔ Use mistakenly
It matches British grammar standards and dictionaries.
If your audience is global or ESL
✔ Use mistakenly
It is clearer, safer, and universally understood.
SEO and professional writing advice
For blogs, websites, and academic content:
- Use mistakenly
- Avoid mistakingly to prevent grammar flags and trust issues
Mistakenly is the safest and smartest choice.
Common Mistakes with Mistakingly or Mistakenly
Even when writers know the correct word, they still make errors.
1. Using “mistakingly” to sound formal
❌ I mistakingly believed the deadline was Friday.
✅ I mistakenly believed the deadline was Friday.
“Mistakingly” does not sound more formal. It sounds wrong.
2. Confusing verb and adverb forms
❌ I was mistake in my answer.
✅ I was mistaken in my answer.
✅ I answered mistakenly.
3. Overthinking grammar rules
Some writers assume:
- verb + ing + ly = correct adverb
This works sometimes, but not here.
English prefers:
- adjective + ly → adverb
That is why mistakenly wins.
4. Copying incorrect online usage
Some blogs and social posts use mistakingly, but popularity does not equal correctness.
Always trust dictionaries and style guides.
Mistakingly or Mistakenly in Everyday Examples
Let’s see how mistakenly works in real life.
Emails
- I mistakenly attached the wrong file.
- This email was mistakenly sent to you.
News writing
- The report was mistakenly published before approval.
- The suspect was mistakenly identified.
Social media
- Sorry, I mistakenly tagged the wrong person.
- I mistakenly shared outdated news.
Formal writing
- The data was mistakenly interpreted.
- Funds were mistakenly allocated.
In all these cases, mistakenly sounds natural and correct.
Mistakingly or Mistakenly – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data tells a clear story.
Popularity
- Mistakenly is searched and used far more often.
- Mistakingly shows very low usage.
By country
- 🇺🇸 United States: Strong preference for mistakenly
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Strong preference for mistakenly
- 🇨🇦 🇦🇺 🇮🇳: Same pattern
Context
- Academic writing: Mistakenly
- News articles: Mistakenly
- Legal documents: Mistakenly
Search trends confirm what grammar rules say: mistakenly dominates.
Comparison Table: Mistakingly vs Mistakenly
| Feature | Mistakenly | Mistakingly |
| Correctness | ✅ Correct | ❌ Nonstandard |
| Dictionary support | Yes | Limited |
| Professional use | High | Very low |
| British English | Accepted | Rare |
| American English | Accepted | Rare |
| SEO safe | Yes | No |
FAQs
1. Is “mistakingly” a real word?
Yes, but it is rare and considered nonstandard. Most experts advise against using it.
2. Which is grammatically correct: mistakingly or mistakenly?
Mistakenly is grammatically correct and preferred.
3. Can I ever use “mistakingly”?
You can, but you should not. It may confuse readers or appear incorrect.
4. Do dictionaries accept “mistakingly”?
Some list it, but they label it as uncommon or less preferred.
5. is by mistakenly a correct word?
No. Both British and American English use mistakenly.
6. Which word should I use in exams or formal writing?
Always use mistakenly.
7. Which spelling is better for SEO?
Mistakenly. It is trusted, common, and user-friendly.
8.is mistakenly a correct word
Conclusion
The confusion between mistakingly or mistakenly is common, but the solution is simple. Mistakenly is the correct, accepted, and recommended word in modern English.
It follows natural grammar rules, appears in trusted dictionaries, and is used across British and American English alike.
While mistakingly exists, it is rare and discouraged. Using it can make your writing look informal or incorrect, especially in professional, academic, or online content.
If your goal is clarity, credibility, and correctness, mistakenly is the clear winner.
For emails, exams, blogs, news articles, and SEO writing, always choose mistakenly. Once you remember this rule, you will never pause again when typing this word.
Simple choices like this can greatly improve the quality of your English writing.
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mistakenly or mistakingly?
I hold a degree in English Literature and Linguistics and have worked extensively on educational blogs, comparison websites, and digital learning platforms. My writing focuses on simplifying complex language rules, highlighting British vs American English differences, and providing practical examples for everyday usage.
