a grave misjudgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grave misjudgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious error in judgment or decision-making. Example: "The company's decision to ignore the warning signs was a grave misjudgment that ultimately led to its downfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Emily Thornberry's tweet was a grave misjudgment, but her error was informed by widely held prejudice that is encapsulated by the stereotype "white van man".

The Guardian

One has to ask if the exhibition was poorly calculated on the part of Kardon, Barrie, and others who supported it, a grave misjudgment in terms of what American audiences needed or were prepared to see.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Syria now appears to be Mr Cameron's gravest misjudgment yet.

The Guardian

12.13pm BST Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, has described Syria as David Cameron's "gravest misjudgment yet".

The Guardian

In one of the gravest misjudgments in journalism this year, today the Spectator has made the book's British publication its cover story, with the headline "Relax: Global Warming is all a myth".

The Guardian

This is a grave error.

Forbes

This is a grave matter".

The New York Times

That's not a grave".

The New Yorker

A grave crime called for grave punishment..

The Guardian

Not a grave.

The New Yorker

Only for a grave.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a grave misjudgment" to describe decisions or actions with serious negative consequences. It's stronger than "a mistake" and indicates significant error.

Common error

Avoid using "a grave misjudgment" for trivial errors. Reserve it for situations where the consequences are genuinely severe. Overusing it diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grave misjudgment" functions as a noun phrase that identifies and characterizes a specific error or decision. As Ludwig AI suggests, it signifies an error of significant importance and negative consequences. It is used to attribute blame or critique.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grave misjudgment" is a phrase used to describe a serious error in judgment with significant negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and most appropriate in formal or professional contexts, especially when critiquing decisions. Related phrases include "a serious error in judgment" and "a significant miscalculation". Use this phrase when you need to emphasize the gravity of a mistake, but avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious error in judgment

Emphasizes the seriousness of the error and its impact on decision-making.

a critical mistake

Highlights the crucial nature of the error and its potential consequences.

a significant miscalculation

Focuses on the inaccurate assessment or calculation that led to the mistake.

a disastrous oversight

Emphasizes the neglect or failure to notice something important, leading to severe outcomes.

a monumental blunder

Indicates a large, foolish, or careless mistake.

a regrettable lapse in judgment

Focuses on the unfortunate and lamentable nature of the error.

a severe lapse in reasoning

Highlights the failure of logic and critical thinking behind the mistake.

an egregious error

Emphasizes the shocking and outstandingly bad nature of the mistake.

a profound misstep

Indicates a significant and far-reaching error in direction or action.

a costly oversight

Highlights the financial or other tangible consequences of the failure to notice something important.

FAQs

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

You can use "a grave misjudgment" to describe a serious error in decision-making or assessment. For example: "The company's failure to invest in new technology was "a grave misjudgment" that led to its decline".

What phrases are similar to "a grave misjudgment"?

Alternatives include "a serious error in judgment", "a significant miscalculation", or "a critical mistake", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a grave misjudgment" in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "a grave misjudgment" is generally more suited to formal or serious contexts due to its strong and somber tone. Consider using simpler language in informal settings.

What makes "a grave misjudgment" different from a simple mistake?

"A grave misjudgment" implies that the error was not only significant but also carried substantial negative consequences or implications, whereas a simple mistake might be minor and easily rectified.