a minute error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minute error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very small or insignificant mistake. Example: "The report was nearly perfect, with only a minute error in the calculations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

To help this, we also used travel-time residual statistics for individual stations to correct only those stations for which a minute error was a common occurrence.

Geoscience Letters

Once a very common expression, a "minute error", has now almost completely disappeared from the vocabulary of seismologists as the conversion of seismographs from analogue to digital recording has been accomplished around the world.

Geoscience Letters

Though the FEA models were fabricated under similar conditions, it appears that a minute error in shape caused in the element divisions appeared in the form of a large error in equivalent stress values.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It was the only mistake we made, a two-minute error," said Mr. Antaki.

The New York Times

England 1, Sweden 1 Niclas Alexandersson took advantage of a 59th-minute error in England's defense to score the tying goal in Saitama, Japan.

The New York Times - Sports

Doyle capitalised on a seventh-minute error by the Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz to head the home side ahead at the RDS, and Lawrence added a second six minutes before the break in front of a crowd of 16,722.

The Guardian - Sport

A good captioner can type 225 words a minute, but errors do occur.

The New York Times

Twitter's 'fail whale' was once a regular symbol of down time on the social network, but the service has become much more stable - despite a brief 40-minute error on the site in September.

The Guardian - Tech

Within those minute errors, Cadence Weapon has found a creative cradle for his hard-hitting rhymes and powerhouse hooks.

Vice

In a 28-minute, error-filled third set, he lost his serve three times and scattered 14 shots long, short and wide.

The New York Times

But their petitions then will be challenged by party nitpickers who get rich disqualifying the competition for minute errors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing errors, use "a minute error" to downplay the severity of the mistake, especially when the overall result is satisfactory.

Common error

Avoid using "a minute error" when the error has significant consequences. A seemingly small mistake can sometimes lead to major problems, so choose your words carefully.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minute error" functions as a noun phrase where "minute" modifies "error", indicating a small or insignificant mistake. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a minute error" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing a small or insignificant mistake. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. The main purpose is to minimize the perceived impact of the error. When using this phrase, ensure that the error genuinely has little consequence; otherwise, consider alternative phrases such as "a trivial mistake" or "a slight inaccuracy", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a trivial mistake

Emphasizes the insignificance and unimportance of the error.

a slight inaccuracy

Focuses on the lack of precision, rather than a full-blown error.

a minor oversight

Highlights that the error was likely due to something missed rather than an active mistake.

a small slip-up

Conveys the error as a casual, easily made mistake.

a negligible fault

Underscores the error's minimal impact or consequence.

a petty flaw

Indicates a minor imperfection, often in something otherwise well-made.

an inconsequential error

Highlights that the error doesn't have important effects or consequences.

a marginal miscalculation

Specifically points to a small mistake in calculation or estimation.

a fractional imprecision

Implies a very fine or almost undetectable lack of accuracy.

a venial mistake

Suggests the mistake is excusable and not morally significant.

FAQs

How can I use "a minute error" in a sentence?

You can use "a minute error" to describe a very small or insignificant mistake, such as, "The calculation was correct, except for "a minute error" in the last decimal place."

What are some alternatives to saying "a minute error"?

Alternatives include "a trivial mistake", "a slight inaccuracy", or "a minor oversight". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a minute error" in formal writing?

Yes, "a minute error" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to downplay the importance of a small mistake. However, ensure that the context allows for such a casual description; otherwise, opt for more precise language.

What's the difference between "a minute error" and "a significant error"?

"A minute error" refers to a very small or insignificant mistake, whereas "a significant error" implies that the mistake has important consequences or impacts the outcome. Using either phrase depends on the magnitude of the mistake you're describing.