A forgivable error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A forgivable error" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a mistake that is minor or understandable, often in a context where forgiveness or leniency is appropriate. Example: "While the report had a few inaccuracies, it was ultimately a forgivable error given the tight deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It could be a forgivable error.

The Washington Post

"I think it is a forgivable error, but it was nonetheless an error.

The Guardian

For all Johnson's major woes are linked to mental weakness, this was a forgivable error in an essentially undefined area.

The Guardian - Sport

(I got a bunch of articles about "ensembles," a forgivable error, but you'd think the startup would have at least properly categorized itself).

TechCrunch

He stated that it was "a forgivable error committed by humans who were concerned about children expecting to see Heidi".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But that's a forgivable mistake.

Independent

(A forgivable diversion.

The Guardian - Books

It's a forgivable sin".

The New York Times - Arts

"Overreaching" sounds like a forgivable sin.

The Guardian - Books

If occasionally Aubrey and Dave sound too much like grown-ups, it's a forgivable lapse.

The New York Times

He mixed up the reporting date, a forgivable offense for an All-Star.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "A forgivable error" when you want to downplay the seriousness of a mistake, especially if it's understandable given the circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "A forgivable error" to excuse repeated or blatant mistakes. It's best reserved for genuine oversights, not systemic issues or carelessness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "A forgivable error" functions as a noun phrase, where "forgivable" is an adjective modifying the noun "error". It serves to categorize a specific instance as a mistake that warrants leniency. Ludwig AI suggests it is correct to use.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "A forgivable error" is a phrase used to describe a minor or understandable mistake that doesn't warrant severe consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in English. While its frequency is rare, it appears across diverse contexts, including news, wikis, and scientific articles. When using this phrase, consider its intent to downplay the severity of a mistake and reserve it for genuine oversights, avoiding its overuse to excuse negligence. Alternatives such as "a minor mistake" or "an understandable oversight" can be considered depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A minor mistake

This alternative emphasizes the small scale of the error.

A small misstep

This suggests a minor deviation from the correct path.

An understandable oversight

This focuses on why the error might have happened and being easily forgiven.

An excusable mistake

This emphasizes that there is a reason why the mistake can be justified.

A pardonable lapse

This suggests a temporary failure that can be easily excused.

A trivial fault

This highlights the insignificance of the mistake.

A venial sin

This is a more formal and somewhat archaic way of referring to a minor offense.

A slight transgression

This suggests a minor breach of rules or norms.

An inconsequential error

This highlights the lack of significant consequences from the mistake.

A negligible blunder

This emphasizes that the error had little to no impact.

FAQs

How can I use "A forgivable error" in a sentence?

You can use "A forgivable error" to describe a mistake that is minor or understandable. For example, "While the report had a few inaccuracies, it was ultimately a forgivable error given the tight deadline."

What's a good alternative to "A forgivable error"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a minor mistake", "an understandable oversight", or "an excusable mistake".

When is it appropriate to describe something as "A forgivable error"?

It's appropriate when the error is minor, unintentional, and doesn't have significant consequences. It suggests that the mistake can be easily excused or overlooked.

What makes an error "forgivable"?

An error is typically considered "forgivable" if it was made in good faith, was due to mitigating circumstances, or had minimal impact. The key is that it doesn't reflect negligence or malicious intent.