English spelling can be confusing, especially when two words look almost identical. One of the most common examples is mistakingly or mistakenly.
Many people type mistakingly in emails, essays, business documents, and social media posts because it seems like a logical form of the verb mistake. However, English doesn’t always follow the patterns we expect.
If you’ve ever paused while writing and wondered which version is correct, you’re not alone. Thousands of writers search for this question because they want to avoid spelling mistakes and communicate clearly.
Whether you’re a student, professional, blogger, or someone who simply wants to improve their English, using the correct word makes your writing more polished and credible.
In this guide, you’ll learn which spelling dictionaries recognize, why the confusion happens, how to remember the correct form, where people commonly make mistakes, and how to use the word naturally in real-life situations.
By the end, you’ll be able to choose the correct spelling confidently every time.
Quick Answer
Mistakenly is the correct and standard English word.
Mistakingly is generally considered a nonstandard or incorrect spelling and should be avoided in formal writing.
Correct
- I mistakenly sent the email to the wrong person.
- She mistakenly believed the meeting was today.
- They mistakenly entered the wrong password.
Incorrect
- I mistakingly sent the email.
- He mistakingly took my notebook.
Rule to remember:
The adverb comes from the adjective mistaken, not directly from the verb mistake.
Why Do People Confuse “Mistakingly” and “Mistakenly”?
At first glance, mistakingly seems perfectly reasonable. After all, English often creates adverbs by adding -ly to verbs or adjectives.
For example:
| Verb | Adverb |
|---|---|
| amaze | amazingly |
| interest | interestingly |
| surprise | surprisingly |
Because the base verb is mistake, many writers naturally assume mistakingly should exist.
However, English forms this adverb differently.
Instead of using the verb, it uses the adjective mistaken.
- mistaken → mistakenly ✔
- mistake → mistakingly ✘
This irregular pattern is why so many native and non-native English speakers make the same spelling mistake.
Why “Mistakenly” Is the Correct Word
The word mistakenly means:
In a mistaken way; by error; accidentally because of a misunderstanding or wrong belief.
It has been recognized in standard English dictionaries for many years and appears regularly in:
- Newspapers
- Academic writing
- Government documents
- Business communication
- Legal writing
- Books
- Professional websites
Whenever you want to describe doing something because of an error or misunderstanding, mistakenly is the correct choice.
Examples:
- The package was mistakenly delivered next door.
- I mistakenly deleted the report before saving it.
- She mistakenly thought the restaurant opened at noon.
- The article mistakenly identified the author.
- Someone mistakenly charged my credit card twice.
Notice that every sentence sounds natural because mistakenly is the accepted English form.
Is “Mistakingly” Ever Correct?
This is where many writers become uncertain.
The short answer is:
Almost never.
Although you may occasionally see mistakingly on:
- Online forums
- Social media
- Personal blogs
- User comments
it is rarely accepted by professional editors or major dictionaries.
Modern style guides overwhelmingly recommend using mistakenly instead.
Even when search engines show results for mistakingly, most of those pages are discussing the mistake itself rather than using it as the preferred spelling.
For professional writing, always choose mistakenly.
Mistakenly vs. Mistakingly
| Feature | Mistakenly | Mistakingly |
|---|---|---|
| Correct English | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (nonstandard) |
| Found in major dictionaries | ✅ Yes | Rarely |
| Recommended in formal writing | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Used in journalism | ✅ Yes | Almost never |
| Academic writing | ✅ Yes | ❌ Avoid |
| Business communication | ✅ Yes | ❌ Avoid |
| Professional editing | ✅ Preferred | ❌ Usually corrected |
If you’re unsure, the table gives a simple answer:
Choose “mistakenly” every time.
Why the Error Feels So Natural
English contains many words that encourage writers to expect mistakingly to be correct.
Compare these examples:
| Verb | Correct Adverb |
|---|---|
| confuse | confusingly |
| surprise | surprisingly |
| amaze | amazingly |
| deceive | deceivingly |
| mistake | mistakenly |
The final example breaks the expected pattern.
Instead of becoming mistakingly, the language developed the adverb from mistaken.
This is simply one of English’s many irregular word formations.
Common Places Where Writers Make This Mistake
The error appears most often in everyday writing rather than carefully edited publications.
Examples include:
Emails
❌ I mistakingly attached the wrong document.
✅ I mistakenly attached the wrong document.
Text Messages
❌ Sorry, I mistakingly called you.
✅ Sorry, I mistakenly called you.
Workplace Communication
❌ The invoice was mistakingly sent twice.
✅ The invoice was mistakenly sent twice.
Academic Writing
❌ Students mistakingly assume this theory applies everywhere.
✅ Students mistakenly assume this theory applies everywhere.
Social Media
People often write:
I mistakingly unfollowed my best friend!
A polished version is:
I mistakenly unfollowed my best friend.
Easy Memory Trick
Here’s a simple trick that works almost every time.
Think of the phrase:
“I was mistaken.”
Now simply add -ly.
Mistaken → Mistakenly
Don’t think about the verb mistake.
Think about the adjective mistaken.
That small shift makes the correct spelling much easier to remember.
Using Mistakenly in Real-World Writing
Knowing that mistakenly is the correct spelling is only the first step. The next challenge is using it naturally in different situations. Fortunately, mistakenly is a flexible adverb that works well in both formal and informal English.
Below are examples from everyday writing to help you understand how native speakers use it.
Business Emails
Professional communication often requires you to explain an error politely without sounding defensive.
Examples
- I mistakenly attached the previous version of the report. Please find the updated file attached.
- The payment was mistakenly processed twice. We are working to resolve the issue.
- Your order was mistakenly shipped to the wrong address.
- We mistakenly omitted your name from the attendee list.
- The invoice was mistakenly sent before final approval.
Using mistakenly sounds professional because it focuses on the error rather than assigning blame.
Academic Writing
Students and researchers frequently use mistakenly when discussing incorrect assumptions or interpretations.
Examples
- The researcher mistakenly interpreted the results.
- Many students mistakenly believe that all adjectives can become adverbs by adding -ly.
- The author mistakenly attributed the quotation to another philosopher.
- Earlier studies mistakenly assumed the data represented the entire population.
Academic writing values precision, making mistakenly the preferred choice.
Everyday Conversations
In casual speech, mistakenly is common whenever someone wants to admit an honest mistake.
Examples
- I mistakenly took your jacket.
- She mistakenly thought today was Friday.
- We mistakenly went to the wrong restaurant.
- He mistakenly believed the store was open.
- They mistakenly entered the wrong apartment.
News and Media
Journalists often use mistakenly when reporting factual corrections.
Examples
- The newspaper mistakenly published incorrect statistics.
- Police mistakenly identified the vehicle.
- The company mistakenly released confidential information.
- The website mistakenly displayed outdated prices.
- Officials mistakenly announced the wrong schedule.
Because news organizations aim for accuracy, mistakenly is the standard choice.
Social Media
Although social media is informal, the correct spelling still makes your writing look more polished.
Examples
- I mistakenly deleted all my vacation photos.
- I mistakenly replied to everyone instead of one person.
- My phone mistakenly autocorrected your name.
- I mistakenly ordered two pizzas instead of one.
- We mistakenly booked tickets for the wrong day.
Where Should “Mistakenly” Go in a Sentence?
One reason this word is useful is that it can appear in different positions without changing the meaning.
Before the Verb
This is the most common placement.
- She mistakenly accepted the invitation.
- They mistakenly believed the rumor.
- I mistakenly copied the wrong file.
After the Verb
This placement is less common but still natural.
- The package was delivered mistakenly.
- His name was recorded mistakenly.
- The files were uploaded mistakenly.
Before the Entire Clause
Writers sometimes place it at the beginning for emphasis.
- Mistakenly, I assumed the meeting had been canceled.
- Mistakenly, he believed the deadline was next week.
This style appears more often in formal or literary writing.
Common Grammar Mistakes
Correct spelling alone doesn’t guarantee a correct sentence. Here are several mistakes writers frequently make.
Mistake 1: Using “Mistakingly”
❌ She mistakingly sent the package.
✅ She mistakenly sent the package.
Mistake 2: Confusing “Mistakenly” with “Accidentally”
These words are related but not identical.
| Mistakenly | Accidentally |
|---|---|
| Because of a wrong belief or misunderstanding | Because something happened unintentionally |
| Focuses on incorrect judgment | Focuses on lack of intention |
Examples
I mistakenly thought the meeting started at 10:00.
I accidentally spilled my coffee.
Sometimes both words work, but their meanings are slightly different.
Mistake 3: Using the Wrong Word Form
❌ She was mistakenly person.
✅ She was a mistaken person.
Remember:
- mistaken = adjective
- mistakenly = adverb
Mistake 4: Overusing the Word
Instead of repeating mistakenly several times in one paragraph, vary your language.
For example:
- by mistake
- incorrectly
- in error
- unintentionally
- wrongly (depending on context)
This keeps your writing smoother and more engaging.
Common Expressions with “Mistakenly”
Native speakers often use mistakenly in predictable combinations.
Some of the most common include:
- mistakenly believed
- mistakenly assumed
- mistakenly identified
- mistakenly thought
- mistakenly sent
- mistakenly entered
- mistakenly selected
- mistakenly deleted
- mistakenly reported
- mistakenly charged
- mistakenly labeled
- mistakenly included
- mistakenly omitted
- mistakenly copied
- mistakenly accused
Learning these word combinations helps your writing sound more natural.
Similar Words That Writers Often Confuse
The confusion surrounding mistakenly is not unique. English contains many words that seem logical but are actually incorrect or nonstandard.
| Incorrect or Less Preferred | Correct |
|---|---|
| Mistakingly | Mistakenly |
| Irregardless | Regardless |
| Alot | A lot |
| Definately | Definitely |
| Occured | Occurred |
| Seperate | Separate |
| Recieve | Receive |
| Untill | Until |
These examples show why relying on spelling patterns alone can sometimes lead to mistakes.
Professional Writing Tips
If you want your English to look polished and trustworthy, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Always use mistakenly, not mistakingly.
- Proofread important documents before sending them.
- Enable spell check, but don’t rely on it completely.
- Read your sentence aloud to check whether it sounds natural.
- If you’re unsure, look up the word in a trusted dictionary.
- Remember that professional editors routinely replace mistakingly with mistakenly.
Small spelling choices can make a noticeable difference in how your writing is perceived, especially in academic, business, and professional settings.
Why “Mistakenly” Is More Common Worldwide
Whether you’re writing for readers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or other English-speaking regions, mistakenly is the accepted standard.
Unlike some words that have separate American and British spellings—such as color and colour or organize and organise—there is no regional variation here.
That means you don’t need to adjust your spelling based on your audience. Using mistakenly is appropriate for international communication, making it the safest and most professional choice wherever your readers are located.
FAQs
Is mistakingly ever considered correct?
In modern English, mistakenly is the standard and universally accepted spelling. Although mistakingly has appeared occasionally in older texts and informal online writing, it is considered a nonstandard variant by most modern dictionaries and style guides. If you’re writing for school, work, publishing, or any professional audience, always use mistakenly.
Why is mistakenly correct instead of mistakingly?
The confusion comes from the verb mistake, which leads many people to assume the adverb should be mistakingly. In reality, English forms the adverb from the adjective mistaken, not directly from the verb. That’s why mistakenly is the grammatically correct form and the one used by professional writers and editors.
Is there a difference between British and American English?
No. Unlike spelling pairs such as colour and color or organise and organize, there is no regional variation here. Mistakenly is the accepted spelling in American English, British English, Canadian English, Australian English, and other English-speaking regions.
Can I use mistakenly in formal and academic writing?
Yes. Mistakenly is appropriate in every writing context, including academic essays, research papers, business emails, legal documents, news articles, and professional reports. It is the spelling recommended by major English dictionaries and respected style guides.
What’s the difference between mistakenly and accidentally?
These words are similar but not interchangeable.
Mistakenly describes an action caused by an incorrect belief, misunderstanding, or wrong judgment.
She mistakenly believed the deadline was Friday.
Accidentally describes an action that happened without intention, often because of chance or carelessness.
She accidentally deleted the presentation.
Choosing the right word makes your writing more precise.
How can I avoid making this spelling mistake?
The easiest way to remember the correct spelling is to start with the adjective mistaken.
Mistaken → Mistakenly
If you remember the sentence “I was mistaken,” you’ll naturally write mistakenly instead of the incorrect mistakingly.
Conclusion
Choosing between mistakingly and mistakenly becomes simple once you understand how the word is formed.
Although mistakingly may seem logical because it resembles the verb mistake, it is not the standard spelling used in modern English.
Mistakenly is the correct form recognized by major dictionaries and trusted by professional writers, editors, educators, and publishers around the world.
Whether you’re writing a business email, an academic assignment, a blog post, or a social media update, using mistakenly helps your writing appear accurate, polished, and professional.
Since there is no difference between British and American English for this word, you can confidently use mistakenly for any English-speaking audience.
Whenever you’re unsure, remember one simple rule: the adverb comes from mistaken, not mistake. Keeping this in mind will help you avoid a common spelling error and write with greater confidence every time.
