a series of blunders

USAGE SUMMARY

"a series of blunders" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a sequence of mistakes or errors made by someone. Example: The new project was a disaster due to Peter's series of blunders.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

He detailed a series of blunders that ended in tragedy.

The Guardian

But a series of blunders continue to keep that network elusive.

The New York Times - Tech

A series of blunders had dragged down public confidence in broadcast media.

The New York Times

Suddenly, a case that Mr Ashcroft had defied a judge's gag order to brag about became a series of blunders.

The Economist

This is just one of a series of blunders since the start of E-ZPass in New Jersey.

The New York Times

However, because of a series of blunders, one of the most high profile murder investigations in recent times may never be solved.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Grab, Southeast Asia's top ride-hailing company, has hit a roadblock in its efforts to improve its mapping and routing service after running into trouble with OpenStreetMap, the world's largest collaborative mapping community, through a series of blundering edits in Thailand.

TechCrunch

Follow MarThe on Twitter: @mjrobbins.

Vice

The flub is the latest in a series of optical blunders, which saw Nortel beat Lucent to market for OC-192, 10-gigabit-per-second equipment by more than a year and WDM maker Ciena cien ship a 40-channel product while Lucent was still offering only a 16-channel version.

Forbes

Thompson and Bachmann both committed a series of lesser blunders, which eventually took their toll.

The New Yorker

ENDA KENNY, the Irish taoiseach (prime minister), finds himself under unexpected attack for a series of avoidable blunders.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing this phrase in close proximity within your writing. Instead, vary your language by incorporating synonyms like "a string of errors" or "a chain of mistakes" for better readability.

Common error

Be specific when describing "a series of blunders". Avoid vagueness by providing concrete examples or details about the errors that occurred. This strengthens your argument and enhances credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a series of blunders" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It describes a sequence of significant and often consequential mistakes. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a series of blunders" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes a sequence of significant mistakes. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is widely found in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While alternatives like "a string of errors" or "a chain of mistakes" exist, they carry slightly different connotations. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide specific examples and details to avoid vagueness and enhance clarity. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the phrase's usage, alternatives, and best practices for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a string of errors

Emphasizes individual mistakes strung together, rather than a more systemic failure.

a catalog of failures

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the failures, suggesting a wide scope of unsuccessful attempts.

a chain of mistakes

Suggests that each mistake directly led to the next, creating a sequence of negative consequences.

a succession of mishaps

Implies a series of unfortunate events, which may or may not be directly attributable to human error.

an accumulation of faults

Focuses on the gradual buildup of errors, rather than a single, isolated incident.

a comedy of errors

Highlights the farcical or ridiculous nature of the mistakes, often implying a humorous or ironic outcome.

a trail of missteps

Evokes a sense of progression, where each step taken was flawed, leading to an undesirable outcome.

a litany of gaffes

Focuses on social or political blunders, rather than more general errors in judgment or execution.

a chapter of accidents

Refers to a period marked by unfortunate and unexpected events, often beyond anyone's control.

a parade of fiascos

Implies a public and humiliating failure, often on a grand scale.

FAQs

How can I use "a series of blunders" in a sentence?

You can use "a series of blunders" to describe a sequence of mistakes that led to a negative outcome. For example, "The company's downfall was due to "a series of blunders" by its management."

What are some alternatives to saying "a series of blunders"?

Alternatives include "a string of errors", "a chain of mistakes", or "a catalog of failures", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "a series of blunders" or "a set of blunders"?

"A series of blunders" is generally preferred because it emphasizes the sequential and interconnected nature of the mistakes. "A set of blunders" is grammatically correct but does not necessarily imply a sequence.

What distinguishes "a series of blunders" from "an isolated mistake"?

"A series of blunders" refers to multiple errors occurring consecutively or related to each other, while "an isolated mistake" refers to a single, unconnected error. The former suggests a systemic problem, while the latter is a one-time occurrence.