a gross miscalculation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a gross miscalculation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant error in judgment or calculation, often with serious consequences. Example: "The company's decision to expand without proper market research was a gross miscalculation that led to substantial financial losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Anyway, that maths – a gross miscalculation, it turns out.

The Guardian - Music

Finally, a gross miscalculation brought the ships to Matagorda Bay in Texas, 500 miles west of their intended landfall.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Besides, expecting pop music's largely youthful audience to pay hundreds of dollars a year may be a gross miscalculation of their disposable income.

The New York Times - Tech

But so have major ones: waiting too long to address the right tackle position, opting not to obtain a proven receiver and, in what appears a gross miscalculation, extending Sanchez's contract.

The New York Times - Sports

And so perhaps in another 52 years the network executives at ABC will also admit to a gross miscalculation of judgment by inviting a blatantly, unavoidably racist woman onto their ratings-topping program Dancing With The Stars.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even the august New Yorker felt compelled to run not one, but three blogs about MacFarlane's hosting effort the following day, in which he was described in very unaugust tones as "scrubby, self-satisfied and sexist", "a gross miscalculation" and (whatever would William Shawn say?) a "bitter asshole".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The gross miscalculation of the "boobs" number set the tone for the evening the wrong one.

The New Yorker

One spectacular failure of French intelligence was its gross miscalculation of German military strength in 1914, when it underrated German technical and tactical capabilities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But there is no question about one gross miscalculation.

Huffington Post

The coaching, the team's history, and player match-ups tipped on paper overwhelmingly to the Germans, but it wasn't until the Americans hit the field with blinding vigor that everyone saw the gross miscalculation that duped millions of dollars into backing Germany.

Huffington Post

The causes of this debacle include a colossally wrongheaded deregulation plan, gross miscalculations of the likely demand for electricity, and a failure to build any new generating plants over the past decade.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a gross miscalculation" to emphasize the magnitude and severity of an error. Reserve it for situations where the miscalculation has significant consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "a gross miscalculation" too frequently, as it can diminish its impact. Opt for simpler terms like "mistake" or "error" in less critical contexts to preserve the phrase's emphasis for significant misjudgments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a gross miscalculation" functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject complement, direct object, or appositive, providing a label for a significant error in judgment or computation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a gross miscalculation" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant and obvious error in judgment or calculation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It's commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts. While grammatically sound and widely understood, it's best reserved for situations where the miscalculation has major negative consequences. Remember to avoid overusing it to maintain its impact and opt for alternatives like "a major blunder" or "a serious error of judgment" in less critical situations. The phrase is suitable for formal and professional communication due to its precise and impactful nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a colossal misjudgment

Substitutes "miscalculation" with "misjudgment" and amplifies the scale of the error using "colossal".

a major blunder

Replaces "miscalculation" with "blunder", emphasizing the mistake as a significant error.

a serious error of judgment

Replaces "gross miscalculation" with a more formal and descriptive phrase, highlighting the faulty judgment.

a grave mistake

Emphasizes the seriousness and potential consequences of the error.

a huge oversight

Focuses on the aspect of neglecting to consider something important.

a fundamental flaw in reasoning

Highlights the underlying problem with the thinking process.

a significant underestimation

Specifically refers to the act of estimating something lower than its actual value.

a complete misreading of the situation

Focuses on misunderstanding or misinterpreting the circumstances.

a total failure of foresight

Highlights the lack of anticipation or planning that led to the error.

a costly misstep

Emphasizes the negative consequences or financial impact of the error.

FAQs

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

You can use "a gross miscalculation" to describe a severe error in judgment or calculation, often with significant negative consequences. For example: "Extending Sanchez's contract proved to be "a gross miscalculation" for the team".

What can I say instead of "a gross miscalculation"?

You can use alternatives like "a major blunder", "a serious error of judgment", or "a grave mistake" depending on the context.

What makes a miscalculation "gross"?

A "gross" miscalculation implies that the error is glaringly obvious, significant in its impact, and often stems from a failure to properly assess the situation or consider all relevant factors. It is more severe than a simple "miscalculation".

Is it appropriate to use "a gross miscalculation" in formal writing?

Yes, "a gross miscalculation" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing business, political, or historical events where a significant error in judgment had substantial repercussions. Consider the specific context and audience to determine the most appropriate tone.