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Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

Sadly mistaken
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"sadly mistaken" is a correct and usable phrase in written English
It is typically used to describe someone who is wrong or mistaken about something in a way that is unfortunate or disappointing. Example: "He was sadly mistaken if he thought his lie would go unnoticed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"But I was sadly mistaken".

News & Media

The New York Times - Travel

If you think you can escape chaos, you're sadly mistaken.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Whoever said that was sadly mistaken," she said.

News & Media

The New York Times

"We'll see if we were right, or sadly mistaken".

News & Media

The New York Times - Science

"On this," she said, "it is sadly mistaken.

News & Media

The New York Times

Those who think that these curbs will revive Europe's ailing textile industry are sadly mistaken.

News & Media

The Economist

"He was either going off his brief or he was sadly mistaken," Mr. Herman said.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Anybody that thinks our money problems are over is sadly mistaken".

News & Media

The New York Times

If Democrats believe "that that's not going to happen, they are just sadly mistaken," Turner said.

News & Media

The New Yorker

After Tuesday's game, Girardi said, "Anyone who thinks you can throw a switch is sadly mistaken".

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

If fans were hoping he would be the immediate solution they would be sadly mistaken.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use "sadly mistaken" to express disappointment or regret when someone's expectation or belief turns out to be incorrect. It adds a touch of empathy to the correction.

⚠ Common error

While grammatically correct, "sadly mistaken" can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "wrong" or "mistaken" to maintain a more natural tone.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sadly mistaken" functions as a descriptive expression, modifying a subject to indicate that they are not just wrong, but regrettably so. Ludwig confirms its proper grammatical structure. For example, "If you think they're gonna give you your country back without a fight, you are "sadly mistaken"".

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

Formal & Business

⚠ Less common in

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sadly mistaken" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that someone is incorrect, with an added layer of disappointment or regret. Ludwig highlights that it's frequently encountered in News & Media, with a generally neutral to formal register. To prevent overuse, especially in informal settings, consider alternatives like "sorely mistaken" or simply "wrong". It adds empathy and is best used to temper a correction, rather than delivering a harsh statement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples to demonstrate its usage.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sadly wrong

This alternative simplifies the phrase while retaining the core meaning of being incorrect and disappointed.

sorely mistaken

This alternative emphasizes the degree of error and the resulting disappointment more intensely.

woefully mistaken

This alternative emphasizes the inadequacy or deficiency of the understanding that led to the mistake.

painfully mistaken

This alternative highlights the emotional discomfort or distress caused by the mistake.

regrettably mistaken

This alternative highlights the speaker's feeling of regret about the mistake.

unfortunately mistaken

This alternative focuses on the bad luck or unfavorable circumstances associated with the error.

More alternative expressions(6)

sorely mistaken

painfully mistaken

tragically mistaken

unfortunately mistaken

woefully mistaken

regrettably mistaken

FAQs

How can I use "sadly mistaken" in a sentence?

You can use "sadly mistaken" to express that someone is incorrect in a way that is unfortunate or disappointing, as in "If you think you can solve this problem alone, you are "sadly mistaken"".

What phrases are similar to "sadly mistaken"?

Similar phrases include "sorely mistaken", "woefully mistaken", or "regrettably mistaken", all indicating a disappointing error.

Is it ever appropriate to use "sadly mistaken" in formal writing?

Yes, "sadly mistaken" is appropriate in formal writing to convey a sense of disappointment or regret when correcting a misconception, offering a more empathetic tone than simply stating someone is "wrong".

What's the difference between "sadly mistaken" and "mistaken"?

"Mistaken" simply indicates an error. "Sadly mistaken" adds an element of disappointment or regret, implying that the error has unfortunate implications or consequences.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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Sadly mistakenGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

Sadly mistaken
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples