a genuine error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a genuine error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mistake that was made honestly and without intention to deceive. Example: "After reviewing the report, we realized that the discrepancy was simply a genuine error and not an attempt to mislead anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Yet one of them concerned a genuine error that cost a man his life.

The New Yorker

"For the equilibrium of the world financial system, this was a genuine error," Christine Lagarde, France's finance minister, said recently.

The New York Times

Mr. Deane said: "There was a genuine error on my part, but it wasn't as grievous as people said.

The New York Times - Books

"I am confident this was a genuine error of judgment and that he understands the offence his comment has caused.

The Guardian - Sport

Santander told Money: "A genuine error occurred in-branch and, due to a misunderstanding, the branch requested that Mrs Airlie's accounts be merged.

The Guardian - Money

The other case was someone on Southern's Twitter team simply giving erroneous information as to the reason for the cancellation in a "genuine error", said the company.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

We can confirm that this was a one-off, genuine error.

The Guardian

The panels verified that each report represented a genuine prescribing error, categorised the type of error that it represented and judged its perceived severity.

Drug Safety

"It was a genuine clerical error," said Rowe. "There was no attempt at all to gain an advantage and we will be asking the RFU to be lenient".

The Guardian - Sport

Santander has told us this shouldn't have happened, and that Marsack was the victim of a "genuine branch error" – but it comes a year after Money reported on the case of another woman who spent several frustrating months trying to open a Santander current account in her maiden name, when she had an existing joint account with her husband at the bank.

The Guardian - Money

Every step is recorded, so we have an authentic black box that can show whether a bad result is a genuine human error.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When admitting to "a genuine error", be specific about what the error was and how it will be corrected to maintain transparency and build trust.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "a genuine error" repeatedly without providing adequate context or demonstrating accountability. Overuse can make it seem like an excuse rather than an acceptance of responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a genuine error" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'genuine' modifies the noun 'error', emphasizing the sincerity and unintentional nature of the mistake. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a genuine error" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a mistake made without intent to deceive. Ludwig AI’s analysis reveals that it's frequently used in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to be specific about the error and demonstrate accountability. Alternatives like "an honest mistake" or "an unintentional mistake" can also be used. Recognizing its appropriate use can help maintain transparency and build trust when acknowledging mistakes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an honest mistake

Replaces "genuine" with "honest", emphasizing the lack of deceit.

a sincere mistake

Substitutes "genuine" with "sincere", highlighting the authenticity of the error.

an unintentional mistake

Replaces "genuine" with "unintentional", focusing on the lack of intent behind the error.

an inadvertent error

Replaces "genuine" with "inadvertent", suggesting the error occurred due to oversight.

a legitimate mistake

Substitutes "genuine" with "legitimate", implying the error is valid or excusable under the circumstances.

a true mistake

Replaces "genuine" with "true", underscoring the reality of the error.

an authentic mistake

Replaces "genuine" with "authentic", which indicates that the error is real and not fabricated.

a bona fide error

Uses the Latin term "bona fide" to emphasize the good faith nature of the error.

an actual mistake

Replaces "genuine" with "actual" to emphasize that an error really happened.

an unfeigned error

Replaces "genuine" with "unfeigned", stressing the error's sincerity and lack of pretense.

FAQs

What does "a genuine error" mean?

The phrase "a genuine error" refers to a mistake that was made sincerely and without any intention to deceive or cause harm. It suggests the error was unintentional and not the result of negligence or malice.

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

You can use "a genuine error" to describe a mistake, such as: "The miscalculation was "a genuine error", and we are taking steps to rectify it immediately."

What can I say instead of "a genuine error"?

You can use alternatives like "an honest mistake", "an unintentional mistake", or "a sincere mistake" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to apologize after making "a genuine error"?

Yes, apologizing is highly appropriate. Acknowledging the mistake and expressing remorse demonstrates accountability and a commitment to resolving the issue caused by "a genuine error".