a big error

USAGE SUMMARY

"a big error" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant mistake, either of your own or someone else's. For example, "I made a big error when I forgot to include the necessary paperwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

That's a big error.

The New York Times

"I think they really made a big error".

The New York Times - Sports

The forecast comes with a big error bar, however.

The Guardian

But that's a big error in a world of uncertainty.

Harvard Business Review

The unification of Italy in the 1860s "was a big error," she said.

The New York Times

Mr. Duceppe added, "If they think it is settled, they're making a big error".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The amplitude ratio is also well estimated with a bigger error.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Each observation (x_{n}) is associated with a weight (Clambda _{n}) and a smaller value for the weight implies that the correspondent observation is allowed to have a bigger error.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Could CBO be making a bigger error now?

Huffington Post

However, the hypothesis of curvatures χxz = 0 and χyz = 0 can be used when the span-to-thickness ratio is no less than 8, while it brings a relatively big error with a small span-to-thickness ratio, such as L/h = 4.

Composite Structures

"The result of the trial is already a big mistake, a big kind of technical error.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a big error", ensure that the context clearly indicates the consequences or impact of the error. This adds weight to your statement and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a big error" for minor mistakes. Reserve it for situations where the error has significant repercussions, such as financial losses, project failures, or damaged reputations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big error" functions as a noun phrase, where "big" modifies the noun "error". It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a big error" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant mistake. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it is acceptable in most situations, more formal settings might benefit from using alternatives such as "a significant mistake" or "a critical flaw". Remember to reserve "a big error" for situations with substantial consequences and avoid overusing it for minor mistakes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant mistake

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the error.

a major blunder

Highlights the clumsiness or carelessness of the error.

a critical flaw

Focuses on the error as an inherent weakness.

a grave miscalculation

Suggests a serious error in planning or judgment.

a substantial inaccuracy

Emphasizes the lack of precision or correctness.

a serious oversight

Highlights the neglect or failure to notice something important.

a costly mistake

Focuses on the negative consequences of the error.

a regrettable lapse

Indicates a temporary failure of judgment or attention.

an egregious error

Emphasizes the shocking or outstanding nature of the error.

a gross misjudgment

Highlights the poor decision-making involved.

FAQs

How can I use "a big error" in a sentence?

You can use "a big error" to describe a significant mistake. For instance, "Failing to back up the database was "a big error" that resulted in data loss."

What's a more formal alternative to "a big error"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a significant mistake" or "a critical flaw" to convey the seriousness of the error.

Is it appropriate to use "a big error" in academic writing?

While "a big error" is understandable, academic writing often benefits from more precise language. Opt for terms like "a substantial inaccuracy" or "a grave miscalculation" to enhance clarity and credibility.

What's the difference between "a big error" and "a small error"?

"A big error" implies significant consequences or impact, while "a small error" refers to a minor mistake with limited repercussions. The choice depends on the scale and severity of the mistake.