a grievous mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grievous mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious or significant error that has serious consequences or implications. Example: "The decision to ignore the warning signs was a grievous mistake that cost the company dearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

I believe it is a grievous mistake".

The New Yorker

That would be a grievous mistake.

The New York Times

Then Raffaello De Ruggieri, a lawyer who considered the depopulation campaign a grievous mistake, moved in.

The New Yorker

They consider excessive growth a grievous mistake for a young enterprise, and almost always fatal.

The New York Times

Pardoning him, as even Clinton must realize by now, was a grievous mistake.

The New Yorker

As was the case in the 1990s, negotiating with the Taliban now would be a grievous mistake.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

This was a grievous error.

The New York Times

But underdoing it would have been a grievous fault.

The New Yorker

Indeed, Fast and Furious was a grievous error.

The Washington Post

But we can prevent a grievous error from being done".

The New York Times

I believe that The Times has made a grievous error in judgment by publishing this satire.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a grievous mistake", ensure the context emphasizes the significant negative consequences of the error. It's often used when the mistake has far-reaching or severe repercussions.

Common error

Avoid using "grievous mistake" to describe trivial errors. Reserve it for situations where the consequences are genuinely serious or devastating. Otherwise, consider a milder term such as "error", "oversight", or "slip-up".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grievous mistake" functions as a noun phrase that identifies and characterizes a significant error. As Ludwig AI explains, it emphasizes the seriousness and consequential nature of the mistake, often implying painful or damaging outcomes. Many examples use it to criticize choices made by individuals or organizations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grievous mistake" is a noun phrase used to describe a serious and consequential error, often with painful or damaging repercussions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, and in business settings. It serves to express strong disapproval or criticism and emphasize the negative impact of the error. When using this phrase, it's best to reserve it for genuinely severe situations and to be aware that it suggests the error wasn't simply wrong, but damaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grave error

Stresses the weighty and significant nature of the error.

a terrible error

Emphasizes the negative consequences of the error.

a serious blunder

Highlights the clumsiness or lack of skill in the mistake.

a disastrous lapse

Highlights the catastrophic consequences of the error.

a monumental misjudgment

Focuses on the flawed decision-making process.

a critical failing

Emphasizes the importance of what was not achieved.

a costly oversight

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

a regrettable oversight

Expresses sorrow or disappointment about the mistake.

an unfortunate misstep

Softens the severity, suggesting bad luck or chance.

a painful error

Highlights the emotional impact of the mistake.

FAQs

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

Use "a grievous mistake" to describe a serious error with significant negative consequences. For example, "Ignoring the expert's advice proved to be "a grievous mistake" that led to the project's failure."

What can I say instead of "a grievous mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "a grave error", "a serious blunder", or "a terrible error" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "grievous mistake" or "grave mistake"?

Both "grievous mistake" and "grave mistake" are correct and convey a similar meaning, but "grievous" emphasizes the painful or distressing aspect of the mistake, while "grave" emphasizes its seriousness.

What's the difference between "a grievous mistake" and "a simple mistake"?

"A grievous mistake" implies severe consequences and significant impact, whereas "a simple mistake" suggests a minor error with little to no serious repercussions.