a critical mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a critical mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant error that has serious consequences or implications. Example: "Failing to double-check the data before submission was a critical mistake that cost the company a major contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I came out entertained, and a bit concerned that the Critics may have made a critical mistake.

Huffington Post

A week later, Hamlin team's made a critical mistake.

The New York Times - Sports

"This, I am afraid, was a critical mistake".

The New York Times

A nurse may make a critical mistake, and a patient might die.

The New York Times

After several weeks of showing, we realized we had made a critical mistake.

The New York Times

A CRITICAL MISTAKE On baseball's biggest stage, the Cardinals' Kolten Wong made the worst mistake of his young career.

The New York Times - Sports

THE DEBATES Part of controlling the message is avoiding making a critical mistake during the debates next month.

The New York Times

When Google got into the search-advertising business in 2002, it realized that Goto had made a critical mistake.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Otherwise, we're going to make a terrible, critical mistake".

The New York Times

A more critical mistake was that the analog ground and digital ground pin of the ADC are connected to grounds of two separate systems.

Cornell University

Before that, it had outsourced its operations to Amazon, a potentially critical mistake.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use alternatives to "a critical mistake" to add nuance and precision to your writing. Consider the specific impact or characteristic of the error you want to emphasize.

Common error

Avoid labeling every mistake as "a critical mistake". This dilutes the phrase's impact and can make your writing sound hyperbolic. Reserve it for truly significant errors with serious repercussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a critical mistake" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a direct object, subject complement, or appositive in a sentence. It identifies and characterizes a specific error as being significant and consequential. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Science

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a critical mistake" is a commonly used phrase to describe a significant error with serious consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and it's frequently found in news, academic writing, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where the gravity of the error warrants such a strong term. Alternatives like "a grave error" or "a serious blunder" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the context. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase to maintain its impact and prevent your writing from sounding hyperbolic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grave error

Replaces "critical mistake" with more formal synonyms, implying a serious consequence.

a serious blunder

Emphasizes the clumsiness or carelessness of the error.

a fatal flaw

Highlights the devastating impact of the mistake, suggesting an irreparable defect.

a costly error

Focuses on the negative financial or practical consequences of the mistake.

a major oversight

Indicates a failure to notice or consider something important.

a significant lapse in judgment

Highlights the poor decision-making behind the error.

an egregious mistake

Emphasizes the shocking or outrageous nature of the mistake.

a monumental error

Highlights the large scale or historical importance of the mistake.

a regrettable error

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment associated with the mistake.

a damaging error

Emphasizes the harm caused by the mistake.

FAQs

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

You can use "a critical mistake" to describe a significant error that has serious consequences. For example: "Failing to double-check the data was "a critical mistake" that cost the company a major contract."

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

You can use alternatives like "a grave error", "a serious blunder", or "a fatal flaw" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a critical mistake mistake"?

Yes, saying "a critical mistake mistake" is redundant. The word "mistake" is already implied in ""a critical mistake"", so repeating it is unnecessary.

What's the difference between "a critical mistake" and "a simple error"?

"A critical mistake" implies a significant error with serious consequences, while "a simple error" refers to a minor mistake with little to no impact.