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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
This error occurred
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "This error occurred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a specific error has taken place, often in technical or troubleshooting contexts. Example: "After running the program, I received a message stating that this error occurred, preventing me from accessing the database."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Academia
Alternative expressions(19)
There was an error
Something went wrong
An error occurred
there was an error
an error occurred
a mistake happened
something went wrong
An issue arose
An inaccuracy was present
there has been an oversight
an omission occurred
something was missed
there was a mistake
there was a problem
a mistake was made
A fault occurred
a problem arose
this error arose
this issue arose
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
16 human-written examples
"This error occurred in our haste to prepare a makeup test that was necessitated by a breach of security," the company said in a reference to test questions being shown on television.
News & Media
"This error occurred prior to Michigan's participation in the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System.
News & Media
This error occurred during the CPOE prescribing period.
Science
This error occurred on pages 2, 10 and 14.
Science
This error occurred during the preparation of manuscript and does not impact the conclusions of the paper.
Science
"We acknowledge this error occurred and regard it as a very serious matter.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
44 human-written examples
This error occurs when the authorization information is damaged.
When does this error occur, and what would be the simplest fix?
This error occurs before line 5 is ever executed, implying that Python has considered line 5 in some way before executing line 3.
This error occurs when skilled users of a device forget to perform some initialization action, such as positioning the cursor in a text entry box or setting the device into the correct mode, before entering data or performing some other significant activity.
Science
This error occurs where maximum variation of wind fluctuation occurs.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When reporting an error, follow "This error occurred" with specific details about the error message, the steps leading to it, and any troubleshooting steps taken.
Common error
Avoid simply stating "This error occurred" without providing any context or details about the error itself. Always include relevant information that can help identify and resolve the problem.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "This error occurred" functions as a declarative statement, announcing the presence of an error. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it's often a precursor to explaining the circumstances or consequences of the error.
Frequent in
News & Media
32%
Science
32%
Academia
16%
Less common in
Wiki
8%
Formal & Business
6%
Reference
4%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "This error occurred" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to announce the occurrence of an error. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use in various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide specific details about the error for clarity. While "This error happened" is a viable alternative, "This error occurred" is generally considered more formal. The phrase serves primarily to inform and explain, making it a valuable tool in technical writing and reporting.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
An error has happened
Replaces 'occurred' with 'happened', a more informal synonym.
There was an error
A simpler, more direct way of stating that an error happened.
A mistake took place
Substitutes 'error' with 'mistake' and 'occurred' with 'took place'.
The system encountered an error
More technical, specifying that a system experienced the error.
A problem arose
Replaces 'error' with the more general 'problem' and 'occurred' with 'arose'.
A fault was detected
Uses 'fault' instead of 'error' and implies that the error was identified.
An issue emerged
Uses 'issue' instead of 'error' and 'emerged' instead of 'occurred'.
The process failed
Focuses on the failure of a process due to an error.
Something went wrong
A more general and informal way of indicating a problem.
A glitch happened
Uses a more informal term 'glitch' to describe the error.
FAQs
How can I use "This error occurred" in a sentence?
You can use "This error occurred" to report an issue or problem, typically followed by an explanation of what happened. For example, "This error occurred when I tried to save the file, and now the application has crashed."
What are some alternatives to saying "This error occurred"?
Alternatives include "An error has happened", "There was an error", or "Something went wrong", depending on the context and level of formality.
Is it better to say "This error occurred" or "This error happened"?
"This error occurred" is generally considered more formal, while "This error happened" is more informal. Both are grammatically correct, but the choice depends on the context and audience.
How can I provide more context after stating "This error occurred"?
After stating "This error occurred", provide details about the specific error message, the steps leading up to the error, and the expected outcome. For example, "This error occurred: 'File not found' when attempting to open the document from the network drive."
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested