a deep mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a deep mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or serious error in judgment or action. Example: "In retrospect, I realize that investing in that failing company was a deep mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But it is a deep mistake to believe that a smartphone, or really any computing device today, could ever truly be a luxury object.

TechCrunch

Still, the approach left Newton with not so straightforward a derivation of the laws of resistance forces from phenomena as he had hoped for in the first edition.[40] In fact, there is a deep mistake in Newton's approach to resistance forces that came to be understood only at the beginning of the twentieth century.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But beyond this: "There was a deeper mistake — confusing logical analysis with chemical analysis.

SEP

But there's a deeper mistake, I think, which is to set rational materialism on one side and belief in God on the other.

Huffington Post

Even though he thinks that is likely to happen, he thinks it more important that we stay outside the EU – I think that is a deep, deep mistake".

The Guardian

I decided I ought to become a philosophy professor that summer because I thought it was very important not to make any deep mistakes in life.

Vice

The deeper mistake, however, is to believe that the competence and character of the candidates should ordinarily be major issues in a presidential election.

The New York Times

Those mistakes have a deep impact on the rest of the team.

TechCrunch

Roger Villere, chairman of the state Republican party, said: "Make no mistake, Louisiana is a deep red state and our Republican brand is strong".

Independent

The ambulance leaves, but Lamby starts again when the woman below me coughs, a deep weak rumble that I often mistake for male sounds of sexual pleasure or the evening news.

The New Yorker

When you make a mistake, immediately take a deep breath.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a deep mistake", ensure the context clearly indicates the severity and impact of the error. The phrase is most effective when emphasizing the profound consequences of the mistake.

Common error

Avoid using "a deep mistake" for trivial errors. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility, making your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for situations where the error truly has significant consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a deep mistake" functions as a noun phrase, where "deep" modifies "mistake" to emphasize the significance or severity of the error. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. For example, in the sentence "It is a deep mistake to believe...", the phrase acts as the subject complement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a deep mistake" is used to describe a serious error with significant and lasting consequences. While grammatically correct and usable as reported by Ludwig AI, its frequency is relatively rare. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific and wiki-based sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants the emphasis on the severity of the mistake. Alternatives such as "a grave error" or "a serious blunder" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a profound error

Emphasizes the intellectual or moral depth of the mistake.

a serious blunder

Highlights the clumsiness or lack of care that led to the mistake.

a grave miscalculation

Focuses on errors in judgment or planning.

a fundamental flaw

Indicates a basic or essential fault in something.

a critical oversight

Points out a failure to notice or consider something important.

a major lapse in judgment

Highlights a temporary failure of reason or good sense.

a significant misstep

Suggests a wrong action taken while progressing towards a goal.

a costly error

Emphasizes the negative consequences or expense resulting from the mistake.

a regrettable oversight

Highlights the feeling of sadness or disappointment associated with the mistake.

a substantial misjudgment

Emphasizes the considerable nature of the faulty assessment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a deep mistake" to describe a significant error with far-reaching consequences, for example: "Choosing that career path was "a deep mistake", as it led to years of dissatisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "a deep mistake"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a grave error", "a serious blunder", or "a profound error", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a deep mistake" or "a big mistake"?

"A deep mistake" implies more significant and lasting consequences than "a big mistake". Use ""a deep mistake"" when the error has profound and extensive repercussions.

What makes a mistake qualify as "deep"?

A mistake qualifies as "deep" when it has lasting, significant, and often irreversible consequences that affect fundamental aspects of a situation or a person's life.