a grave miscalculation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grave miscalculation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious error in judgment or calculation that has significant consequences. Example: "The team's decision to ignore the warning signs proved to be a grave miscalculation, leading to the project's failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Not only is this an affront to everything capitalism stands for, it is a grave miscalculation.

TechCrunch

"My message to Moscow is that if anyone thinks they can do these things without serious long-term consequences they are making a grave miscalculation".

BBC

In short, House Republicans are making a grave miscalculation on Social Security.

Huffington Post

At a convention that featured mothers who lost children during deadly encounters with police, showcasing Mayor Rahm Emanuel would have been a grave miscalculation.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Turkey's EU friends – mainly Britain and Sweden – believe that the EU is making a grave political miscalculation in failing to embrace Turkey.

The Guardian

He has not had to account for, let alone relinquish, any of his stocks of biological and chemical weapons.This calculating man is also, though, prone to grave miscalculations, just as when he invaded Kuwait in 1990.

The Economist

It would be the gravest miscalculation since, perhaps, a similar one many millions of years ago that wiped out ancient dinosaur astronomers.

The New York Times

The friction between Mr. Kennedy's uncertain feel for politics and his instinctive command of governance led to his gravest miscalculation, his ill-executed attempt to unseat his party's incumbent president, Jimmy Carter, in the 1980 primaries.

The New York Times

A first task, once talks do get going, will be to convince North Korea of how grave a miscalculation that would be.

The Economist

This is a grave error.

Forbes

This is a grave matter".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a grave miscalculation", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the serious consequences or potential repercussions of the misjudgment.

Common error

Avoid using "a grave miscalculation" in situations where the mistake is minor or easily rectified; reserve it for errors with significant and lasting impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grave miscalculation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a particular error or mistake, emphasizing its severity and potential consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used in formal contexts.

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 grave miscalculation" is a noun phrase used to describe a serious error in judgment with significant consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for formal contexts such as news and analytical reporting. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants its serious tone, reserving it for situations where the misjudgment has lasting and substantial impact. Alternatives such as "a serious misjudgment" or "a critical error in judgment" can be used if the severity of the error is less pronounced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious misjudgment

Emphasizes the severity of the flawed judgment.

a critical error in judgment

Highlights the judgmental aspect and the criticality of the error.

a significant oversight

Focuses on the aspect of neglecting important factors.

a monumental blunder

Stresses the immense scale and clumsiness of the mistake.

a disastrous misstep

Points to the damaging consequences of the incorrect action.

a costly mistake

Highlights the financial or other resources lost due to the error.

a fateful error

Implies that the error had a significant and decisive impact on future events.

a major lapse in judgment

Focuses on the temporary failure of making a reasonable decision.

a profound misreading

Emphasizes the depth and impact of the incorrect interpretation.

an egregious error

Highlights the shocking and outstanding nature of the mistake.

FAQs

How can I use "a grave miscalculation" in a sentence?

You can use "a grave miscalculation" to describe a serious error in judgment that leads to significant negative consequences. For instance, "Ignoring the expert's advice proved to be "a grave miscalculation", resulting in substantial losses."

What phrases can I use instead of "a grave miscalculation"?

Alternatives include "a serious misjudgment", "a critical error in judgment", or "a significant oversight", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "a grave miscalculation" and "a serious miscalculation"?

While both phrases indicate a significant error, "a grave miscalculation" suggests a more severe and consequential mistake than "a serious miscalculation". "Grave" implies a heavier weight and more dire outcome.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "a grave miscalculation"?

"A grave miscalculation" is best used in formal contexts, such as news reports, academic analyses, or professional assessments, where a high degree of seriousness and consequence is warranted. Avoid using it in casual or trivial situations.