Irregular verb
The verb to mistake
mistake → mistook → mistaken
B1Meaning: to think one person or thing is another; to understand something wrongly · Type: irregular · Frequency: Top 100 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they mistake·he/she/it mistakes - Past Simple:
mistook(like take → took) - Past participle:
mistaken(with -en) - -ing form:
mistaking(without the final e)
Conjugation of the verb to mistake
Present Simple
| I | mistake |
| You | mistake |
| He / She / It | mistakes |
| We | mistake |
| You (pl.) | mistake |
| They | mistake |
Past Simple
| I | mistook |
| You | mistook |
| He / She / It | mistook |
| We | mistook |
| You (pl.) | mistook |
| They | mistook |
All the forms of the verb to mistake
Present Simple
Full pagemistake / mistakes
“People often mistake him for his brother.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are mistaking
“I am mistaking him for his brother right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagemistook
“I mistook her for someone else.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were mistaking
“I was mistaking him for his brother when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has mistaken
“I have already mistaken him for his brother.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad mistaken
“She had already mistaken him for his brother when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill mistake
“I will mistake him for his brother tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to mistake
“I'm going to mistake him for his brother this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould mistake
“I would mistake him for his brother if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to mistake
1. Thinking one person or thing is another
Use mistake X for Y: you think that X is Y.
- I mistook her for her twin.
- People often mistake him for an actor.
2. Being wrong (mistaken)
You're mistaken means you are wrong.
- If I'm not mistaken, it starts at 8.
3. Mistake (noun) = an error
- I made a mistake.
- I called you by mistake.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Do a mistake ❌
A very common error: never say do a mistake. It is always make a mistake: I made a mistake in my homework.
2. Per mistake ❌
I deleted it by mistake means I did not want to delete it. The preposition is by, not per.
What's next?
You can conjugate to mistake. Now say it out loud.
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Related pages: mistake
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of mistake?+
The Past Simple of mistake is mistook. The past participle is mistaken (with -en). Mistake → mistook → mistaken. It works exactly like take → took → taken, because mistake = mis + take.
Is it make a mistake or do a mistake?+
Always make a mistake, never do a mistake! I made a mistake. I made a few mistakes. With the noun mistake, the verb must be make.
What does by mistake mean?+
By mistake means because of an error, without wanting to. I called you by mistake. I sent the email by mistake. The preposition is by, not per.
What is the difference between mistake and error?+
Mistake is the general, everyday word, common when you speak. Error is more formal or technical, common in writing. I made a mistake. There's an error in your code. Error sounds more precise and official.
What is the difference between mistake and confuse?+
Mistake X for Y = to think that X is Y (you get a person or a thing wrong): I mistook her for her sister. Confuse X and Y or confuse X with Y = to mix up two ideas in your head: I always confuse left and right.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/mistake
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.