A minor error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A minor error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small mistake or oversight that is not significant in nature. Example: "The report contained a minor error in the calculations, but overall it was accurate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

A minor error relating to the rs63750847 variant in ref. 15 was corrected.

Nature

A minor error in a form submitted to Fifa meant that Ji no longer had international clearance after all but the Premier League is confident the omission was completely unintentional.

The Guardian - Sport

A minor error was observed for E. faecalis when tested against linezolid.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

A minor error was noted for 12 isolates (0.2%) that showed intermediate susceptibility to tedizolid but were either linezolid susceptible (n = 8) or linezolid resistant (n = 4).

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

A minor error was reported for 5 isolates (0.7%), which showed intermediate susceptibility to tedizolid but were susceptible to linezolid (n = 4) or resistant to linezolid (n = 1).

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

A minor error was found in Table 1 that described and compared the demographics amongst all participants, cases, controls and mono-infections after publishing this work [ 1].

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

This is, however, a minor error-source, since the annotations in general are several times longer than a read length, and since the depth of the alignments always decreases rapidly outside of the annotation.

BMC Genomics

"That isn't true," said Hall. "It's a relatively minor error, because a lot of it is fat tissue, but it still isn't true".

Independent

A more minor error in the operation of the hotel was given by the office boy who handled the arriving guests with remarkable speed.

Wikipedia

We only found a few minor errors, when a contact record was available.

Harvard Business Review

Thanks to rule changes in amateur skating, they were able to return to Olympic competition in 1994 at Lillehammer, Norway, where they won a second gold medal despite a few minor errors in their routine.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "A minor error", ensure the context clearly indicates the insignificance of the error. Avoid using it to downplay significant mistakes.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of what you describe as "A minor error". If the error leads to significant problems, consider using a different phrase that accurately reflects the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "A minor error" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "minor" modifies the noun "error". It serves to describe the type and severity of the error being referenced. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "A minor error" is a grammatically correct and usable term used to describe a small or insignificant mistake. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to downplay the importance of an error and is most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts. When using "A minor error", ensure that the error is truly minor and that the phrase is appropriate for the context. Alternative expressions include "a small mistake" or "a slight inaccuracy". Overstating the impact of a supposed "minor error" should be avoided to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A small mistake

Focuses on the diminutive size of the error.

A slight inaccuracy

Emphasizes the lack of precision rather than the presence of a mistake.

A trivial mistake

Highlights the insignificance of the error's impact.

A negligible oversight

Stresses the error was overlooked and is of little consequence.

A small defect

Suggests a flaw or imperfection, rather than a mistake in judgment.

A simple slip-up

Conveys an unintentional and easily rectified error.

A mere imprecision

Highlights that the error is a matter of precision and scale, and should be measured as such.

A forgivable error

States that the error is not of critical importance, or easy to forgive.

A technical glitch

Specifies that the error is due to technical malfunctioning.

An inconsequential mistake

Directly emphasizes that the mistake has no real consequences.

FAQs

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

You can use "A minor error" to describe a small mistake or oversight. For example: "The report contained "a minor error" in the calculations, but overall it was accurate."

What are some alternatives to saying "A minor error"?

Alternatives include "a small mistake", "a slight inaccuracy", or "a trivial mistake". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "A minor error" when the mistake has significant consequences?

No, "A minor error" should only be used when the mistake is truly insignificant. If the error has major consequences, consider using a more appropriate phrase like "a serious mistake" or "a critical error".

Which is correct: "a minor error" or "an minor error"?

"A minor error" is the correct phrase. The indefinite article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound.