A slight mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A slight mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor error or oversight in a situation or context. Example: "During the presentation, I realized I made a slight mistake in the data analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

A slight mistake made her lose her balance and fell off beam.

The Guardian - Sport

If you make a slight mistake, the engine doesn't cancel it out.

Independent

As a tactical move, the sturgeon showstopper may be a slight mistake, setting up unrealistic expectations.

The New York Times - Food

(To place it at the end is a slight mistake. It was the centerpiece at a Berkeley, Calif., performance this month).

The New York Times - Arts

"I made a slight mistake at the start because the clutch slipped out of my hands before the red light switched off," said Maldonado.

The New York Times - Sports

"It wasn't so much nerves, I don't know what happened to be honest, there was a slight mistake but I'm glad I managed to recover it".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

At that velocity, though, any slight mistake in a swing of the arm or strike of the foot can make a significant difference, Pfaff said.

The New York Times - Sports

People with this syndrome hone in on any slight mistake they might make and downplay or brush off their accomplishments.

Huffington Post

Otherwise, any slight mistake made to the registry will make your system not able to work properly or even crash.

WikiHow

Unfortunately, a slight misunderstanding leads her to make an embarrassing mistake.

BBC

She will be happy to know you were able to involve your children, especially if you are patient and don't yell or be grumpy, and it might make up for any slight mistakes you make.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slight mistake", ensure the context reflects that the error had minimal consequences. Otherwise, consider using stronger language.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight mistake" when the error had significant ramifications. Choose more descriptive terms like "major error" or "critical failure" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight mistake" functions as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It describes an error that is considered minor or insignificant.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Sport

20%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight mistake" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that denotes a minor error with minimal consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media, but can also be found in sports and wiki articles. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the error's impact is genuinely small to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives like "a minor error" or "a small oversight" can be considered for similar meaning. Remember, always tailor your language to accurately reflect the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor error

Focuses on the error being small in significance.

a small blunder

Emphasizes a careless error.

a trivial fault

Highlights the insignificance of the mistake.

a minor slip-up

Indicates a brief and small error.

a small oversight

Suggests a mistake due to inattention.

a petty lapse

Implies a temporary and unimportant failure.

a negligible error

Highlights that the error has virtually no impact.

a venial mistake

Focuses on the mistake being easily forgiven or excused.

a forgivable fault

Focuses on how easy the mistake is to forgive.

a minor imperfection

Indicates that the mistake did not have a big impact.

FAQs

How can I use "a slight mistake" in a sentence?

You can use "a slight mistake" to describe a minor error or oversight in a situation. For example, "I made "a slight mistake" in the calculation, but it didn't affect the final result."

What can I say instead of "a slight mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor error", "a small oversight", or "a trivial fault" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a slight mistake" in formal writing?

Yes, "a slight mistake" is generally appropriate for formal writing as long as the mistake truly is minor. If the mistake is more significant, consider using stronger language.

What's the difference between "a slight mistake" and "a major error"?

"A slight mistake" indicates a minor error with little consequence, while "a major error" suggests a significant mistake with potentially serious consequences.