a dire error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dire error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious or grave mistake in various contexts, such as in discussions about decision-making, analysis, or judgment. Example: "The team realized that they had made a dire error in their calculations, which could have significant consequences for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was a dire error on my part to focus on my own responsibilities and leave the economic issues to the ANC's experts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"That's a dire mistake".

The New York Times

"That's a dire need".

The New York Times

"It is a dire situation.

Independent

Davis faced a dire crisis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are under a dire, dire threat.

The Guardian - Business

A dire day.

The Guardian - Sport

"The state is in a dire situation.

The New York Times

These changes had a dire effect.

The Economist

But hospital sources paint a dire picture.

The Economist

It's a dire situation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a dire error" when you want to emphasize the extremely serious or disastrous nature of a mistake, especially one that has significant consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "dire" when describing trivial mistakes. The word carries a strong connotation of impending disaster, so reserve it for situations where the consequences are genuinely severe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dire error" functions as a noun phrase, where "dire" is an adjective modifying the noun "error". This construction emphasizes the severity and potential consequences of the mistake. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dire error" is a noun phrase used to describe a mistake with serious consequences. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in News & Media sources. While it's a valid and impactful expression, it should be reserved for situations where the severity of the error warrants such strong language. Alternatives like ""a serious mistake"" or ""a grave error"" may be more appropriate in less critical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious mistake

Replaces "dire" with "serious", softening the tone slightly while retaining the core meaning of a significant error.

a grave error

Uses "grave" instead of "dire", emphasizing the serious and potentially disastrous consequences of the mistake.

a critical mistake

Substitutes "dire" with "critical", highlighting the importance and potential impact of the error.

a terrible blunder

Replaces "error" with "blunder", suggesting a clumsy or careless mistake with significant negative effects.

a fatal flaw

Uses "fatal flaw" to indicate a critical weakness or mistake that leads to failure.

a catastrophic mistake

Emphasizes the extremely damaging consequences of the error using "catastrophic".

a regrettable error

Highlights the feeling of sorrow or disappointment associated with the mistake by using "regrettable".

a major miscalculation

Focuses on the incorrect assessment or judgment that led to the error, using "miscalculation".

a significant oversight

Points to a failure to notice or consider something important, using "oversight".

a costly mistake

Highlights the negative consequences associated with the error by using "costly".

FAQs

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

You can use "a dire error" to describe a mistake that has serious or disastrous consequences. For instance, "Failing to back up the server was "a dire error" that resulted in significant data loss".

What are some synonyms for "a dire error"?

Alternatives include "a serious mistake", "a grave error", or "a critical mistake". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a dire error"?

No, "a dire error" is best reserved for situations where the mistake has severe or catastrophic consequences. Using it for minor mistakes can sound exaggerated or melodramatic.

What is the difference between "a dire error" and "a simple mistake"?

"A simple mistake" refers to a minor error with little to no significant consequences, while "a dire error" implies a mistake with extremely serious and damaging outcomes. The adjective "dire" amplifies the severity of the "error".