That was my error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "That was my error" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to acknowledge a mistake you made in a conversation or written communication. Example: "I apologize for the confusion; that was my error." Alternative expressions include "That was my mistake" and "That was my fault."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I've said repeatedly that was my error.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You're a super performer, and I lost my patience with you, and that's my error, and forgive me for doing that".

The New York Times

"That was my mistake, my error that left Chalmers wide open for the 3".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was my error".

The New York Times

I was so busy with school and the play I was rehearsing that I neglected visiting Georgia as soon as possible so I could make my decision; that was my greatest error.

The New York Times

And we insert into text the word sic, the three-lettered bitchy Latin put-down which, between parentheses, signposts: "Don't for one second assume that was my sloppy error, I'm merely replicating verbatim the poorly spelled musings of the great unwashed".

The Guardian

May be my error is that I have been combining many medicines.

BMC Health Services Research

Those are my errors for 2013.

The Washington Post

It's full of laid-back lines like "trial and error, baby, that's my school" or "you dig, well, I dug".

The New York Times

"It seems to always be when we have the ball that we make these errors, and that's my role, to make sure everything's ticking".

Independent

Regarding Car & Driver quoting me as saying that GE would be an investor, that was an error on my part that was corrected as soon as C&D published.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using the past tense "was" even if the error is just being discovered, as it refers to the moment the mistake was actually made.

Common error

Avoid using the word "fault" when you are describing a technical calculation or a data entry mistake; "That was my error" is more precise in these scenarios. "Fault" implies a moral or behavioral failing, whereas "error" is often a matter of incorrect output or logic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "That was my error" functions as a complete declarative sentence or clause. It utilizes a demonstrative pronoun ("That") as the subject, followed by a linking verb ("was") and a predicate nominative noun phrase ("my error") that identifies the subject. According to Ludwig AI, this structure is standard and correct for identifying a specific point of failure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "That was my error" is a highly effective, grammatically correct phrase for acknowledging mistakes in a professional manner. While Ludwig AI notes that exact matches are relatively rare compared to more casual alternatives like "my mistake", the phrase is consistently used by top-tier sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. It is particularly useful in formal settings where precision and accountability are valued over emotional apology. By using this phrase, a writer can clearly identify a point of failure while maintaining a dignified, clinical tone suitable for business, legal, or academic environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It was my error

Uses the impersonal pronoun "it" instead of the demonstrative "that".

That was my mistake

Uses a more common, slightly less formal noun for an error.

That was my own error

Adds the word "own" for extra emphasis on personal accountability.

That was my fault

Shifts the focus from the technical error to personal responsibility/blame.

That was an error on my part

A more formal and slightly more detached way to acknowledge the mistake.

That is my error

Changes the tense to the present, indicating the error is currently being discussed.

My apologies, that was my error

Adds a direct apology to the admission of the mistake.

That was an oversight

Suggests the error happened because something was accidentally missed.

That was my blunder

Implies a more careless or significant mistake.

I stand corrected

An idiomatic way to admit you were wrong after being challenged.

FAQs

How do I use "That was my error" in a professional email?

In a professional setting, you can use "That was my error" to concisely admit a mistake. For example: "I realize I attached the wrong file; "That was my error" and I apologize for the delay."

What is the difference between "That was my error" and "That was my mistake"?

While very similar, "That was my error" often sounds slightly more formal or technical. You might see "that was my mistake" used more in casual conversation, whereas "error" is common in legal, scientific, or academic contexts.

Can I use "That was my error" in academic writing?

Yes, as seen in Ludwig examples from Cornell and Yale, it is perfectly acceptable in academic and legal writing to acknowledge a researcher's or author's own inaccuracy.

What can I say instead of "That was my error" to sound more humble?

If you want to sound more humble or apologetic, you might use "it was my oversight" or "i stand corrected".