a large mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "a large mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that someone has made an error of significant consequence. For example, "John realized he had made a large mistake when he forgot to submit his application on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It would be a large mistake for Americans simply to wait for "medical science to find a less drastic approach to the nation's bulging weight problem".

The New York Times

Mr. Pennette said he is working on a menu for Four Food that will avoid what he sees as a large mistake.

The New York Times

And Ronald E. Neumann, who replaced Mr. Khalilzad in Kabul, said, "The idea that we could just hunt terrorists and we didn't have to do nation-building, and we could just leave it alone, that was a large mistake".

The New York Times

This was a large mistake on his part.

Science Magazine

Today the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors took a small step toward correcting a large mistake.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"If we don't show the Americans who are in all their events, I think that's a larger mistake for us to make, because we are the American broadcast network".

The New York Times - Sports

But it was also only a symptom of a larger mistake -- a misuse of time.

Huffington Post

What Obama's bowling highlighted was a larger mistake he cannot make when reaching out to the white working and middle class.

Huffington Post

The mammoth undertaking is part of the school district's effort to right what it has said was a very large mistake: allowing Pamela C. Gluckin, a former assistant superintendent of business, to quietly resign in October 2002 after it confronted her about stealing $250,000.

The New York Times

You made a very large mistake as the owner of a business that made millions of dollars overcharging for supplies sold to poor people.

Huffington Post

A very large mistake.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a large mistake", consider the specific impact or consequence of the mistake to provide more context. For example, specify whether it was a "strategic", "financial", or "ethical" large mistake.

Common error

Avoid using "a large mistake" for minor errors. Reserve it for situations where the consequences are truly significant, as overuse can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large mistake" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object or subject complement in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies an error of considerable consequence, emphasizing its severity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Science & Research

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a large mistake" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe a significant error. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for expressing that someone has made a considerable blunder with notable consequences. Analysis of usage patterns reveals it's most frequently used in News & Media, Science and Science & Research contexts. To enhance your writing, consider specifying the type of mistake (e.g., strategic or ethical) for added clarity. Avoid using "a large mistake" for minor errors to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant blunder

Emphasizes the seriousness and impact of the mistake.

a major error

Highlights the importance and scale of the error.

a grave error

Suggests the serious consequences and implications of the mistake.

a costly misjudgment

Focuses on the negative financial or strategic outcomes of the mistake.

an egregious oversight

Emphasizes the shocking or outstanding nature of the error.

a critical failure

Stresses the crucial and decisive nature of the mistake.

a terrible miscalculation

Points to a severe error in judgment or planning.

a monumental lapse

Implies a significant and memorable error in judgment or memory.

a colossal failure

Highlights the massive scale and impact of the failure.

a substantial oversight

Highlights how important was what it has been missed, neglected or omitted.

FAQs

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

You can use "a large mistake" to describe a significant error with notable consequences. For example: "Ignoring the expert's advice proved to be "a large mistake"".

What are some alternatives to "a large mistake"?

Alternatives include "a significant blunder", "a major error", or "a grave error", depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "a very large mistake"?

While not strictly redundant, "a very large mistake" can sound slightly repetitive. Consider using stronger synonyms like "an egregious oversight" or "a colossal failure" to emphasize the severity.

When is it appropriate to use "a large mistake" in professional writing?

Use "a large mistake" in professional writing when you need to acknowledge a serious error that has had or will have substantial consequences. Be sure to focus on solutions and lessons learned rather than dwelling solely on the mistake itself.