Notice an error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Notice an error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to draw someone's attention to a mistake or discrepancy in a text or situation. Example: "If you notice an error in the report, please bring it to my attention immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I notice an error: the book says that my brother and I have Ph.D.'s.

The New York Times

If you notice an error or omission in the thesis database, email [email protected]

University of California, Berkeley

If you notice an error in an IB requirement, submit our error report form and an IB advisor will contact you.

University of California, Berkeley

Granted, many consumers or current and potential customers will either forgive or not even notice an error, especially if it's minor.

Forbes

Correct a translation if you notice an error.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Since the publication of this article, the authors have noticed an error in the author list.

Nature

The player looked sheepishly at the watch and, noticing an error on its engraving, whispered to the team president, Charles Graham, that his name had been misspelled.

The Guardian - Sport

After the publication of this work (Dezhina 2015), we noticed an error in the Russian abstract.

Triple Helix

Unfortunately, after publication of the original version of this article [1] the author noticed an error.

Clinical Phytoscience

Chances seem decent it may never even ship — those Weo did order onoticedthree or four) anerroring anstill pending delivery date.

TechCrunch

Upon publication of the original article [1], the authors noticed an error in the legend for Table 6.

Carbon Balance and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to proofread, use "notice an error" to clearly indicate you are looking for mistakes. For example, "Please review this draft and let me know if you notice an error".

Common error

While "notice an error" is acceptable, overuse in formal documents can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Try using more formal synonyms such as "identify a fault" or "detect an inaccuracy" in professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "notice an error" functions as an imperative construction used to direct someone's attention to a potential mistake. Ludwig AI states that it is a correct and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it used in academic, news, and science contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "notice an error" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for directing attention to potential mistakes, according to Ludwig AI. Its use spans various contexts, including academic, news, and scientific domains, indicating its versatility. It's most frequently employed to prompt careful examination and corrective action. While generally neutral in register, formal synonyms may be preferable in professional settings. The phrase enjoys moderate frequency across authoritative sources like The New York Times and academic institutions, making it a reliable option for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Spot a mistake

Replaces "error" with "mistake", offering a slightly less formal tone.

Identify a fault

Substitutes "error" with "fault", implying a potentially more significant problem.

Detect an inaccuracy

Replaces "error" with "inaccuracy", focusing on a lack of precision.

Find an oversight

Substitutes "error" with "oversight", suggesting something was unintentionally missed.

Observe a discrepancy

Replaces "error" with "discrepancy", highlighting a difference or inconsistency.

Note an inconsistency

Similar to "observe a discrepancy", but emphasizes the lack of uniformity.

See an inaccuracy

Replaces "notice" with "see", offering a more direct and immediate observation.

Become aware of a mistake

Expands the phrase to emphasize the process of becoming conscious of the error.

Realize there's a fault

Similar to "become aware", adding a sense of comprehension or understanding.

Pick up on a mistake

Uses a more informal and idiomatic expression for noticing an error.

FAQs

How can I use "Notice an error" in a sentence?

You can use "notice an error" when you want to point out a mistake or discrepancy. For example, "If you notice an error in the calculations, please inform me immediately."

What can I say instead of "Notice an error"?

You can use alternatives like "spot a mistake", "identify a fault", or "detect an inaccuracy" depending on the context.

Is "notice a mistake" the same as "notice an error"?

Yes, "notice a mistake" and "notice an error" are largely interchangeable. "Error" is generally more formal, while "mistake" is more common in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "notice an error" and "correct an error"?

"Notice an error" means to identify or become aware of a mistake, while "correct an error" means to fix or rectify the mistake after it has been noticed.