a host of errors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a host of errors" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a literary way of referring to a large number of errors or mistakes. For example, "The student's exam paper was full of errors; it seemed like a host of errors had been made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Defeats are often a result of a host of errors and oversights.

The New York Times

The internal report, conducted by Mr. Brennan, blamed a host of errors for the intelligence lapse, including a misspelling of Mr. Abdulmutallab's name.

The New York Times

Martha Stewart's conviction on charges of lying to investigators should be overturned, her lawyers argued in an appeals brief filed yesterday, because of a host of errors that occurred during her trial earlier this year.

The New York Times

Even after sending more than 13 letters to Equifax over the course of two years, Julie Miller could not get the big credit bureau to remove a host of errors that it inserted into her credit report.

The New York Times

The Bloomberg administration on Monday admitted to a host of errors in its handling of the paralyzing snowstorm last month, describing a lack of preparation, confused lines of authority and an ignorance of on-the-ground conditions.

The New York Times

We argue that scientific thinking, although fallible, is ultimately school psychologists' best safeguard against a host of errors in thinking.

Journal of School Psychology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Tigers, despite a host of handling errors in promising positions, clawed their way back into the contest just before the interval.

The Guardian - Sport

Warrington struggled to find their fluidity for long periods of the first half, as they were restricted to just 24-6 at half-time following a host of handling errors and some gritty Wakefield defence.

The Guardian - Sport

A bright opening apart, the Crusaders were woeful for the first half-hour, making a host of basic errors and struggling to contain a Wigan side that looked visibly sharper than last year, despite fielding only one change to their line-up from 2009's play-off defeat by St Helens.

The Guardian - Sport

Jones-Bishop and Moon both missed chances to improve their side's tally, with Wakefield ruing a host of handling errors.

BBC

Rivera was convicted of murder in 1993, and again in 1996 after his first conviction was reversed for a host of legal errors.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a host of errors" when you want to emphasize the large number of mistakes or problems, adding a touch of formality to your writing. For a more direct approach, consider alternatives like "many errors".

Common error

While "a host of errors" is a valid phrase, avoid overusing it in contexts where simpler language would be more appropriate. Excessive use of literary phrases can make your writing sound stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a host of errors" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It quantifies the errors, implying a significant number of them. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Sports

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a host of errors" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that effectively conveys the presence of numerous mistakes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the phrase finds its place in diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, as well as in scientific and formal business settings. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards formality, making it a suitable choice for professional and academic writing. If a simpler or more direct approach is desired, consider alternatives like "many errors" or "numerous errors".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A multitude of errors

Replaces "host" with "multitude", emphasizing a large quantity.

A series of errors

Focuses on the sequential nature of the errors.

A great number of errors

Uses a more direct and less literary way of expressing quantity.

Many errors

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic meaning.

Numerous errors

Synonym for "many", maintaining a similar level of formality.

A plethora of errors

Replaces "host" with "plethora", indicating an abundance.

A wealth of errors

Emphasizes the large quantity in a slightly more figurative way.

A catalog of errors

Suggests a detailed and extensive list of errors.

A string of errors

Implies a connected sequence of mistakes.

An array of errors

Indicates a diverse collection of mistakes.

FAQs

How can I use "a host of errors" in a sentence?

You can use "a host of errors" to describe a situation with many mistakes, such as: "The project failed due to "a host of errors" in the planning phase".

What are some alternatives to "a host of errors"?

Alternatives include "many errors", "numerous errors", or "a series of errors", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a host of errors" formal or informal?

"A host of errors" is considered more formal than simpler alternatives like "many errors". It adds a literary touch to your writing and is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "a host of errors" and "a series of errors"?

"A host of errors" emphasizes the quantity of mistakes, while ""a series of errors"" suggests that the mistakes occurred in a sequence or are related to each other.