a serious error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious error" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used in situations where something has gone wrong or been done incorrectly and has caused significant consequences or problems. Example: The company's failure to properly test their products was a serious error that resulted in numerous customer complaints and a decrease in sales.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was a serious error.

The New York Times

A serious error.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was a serious error," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

I believe this isn't just a serious error of judgment.

The Guardian

"Certainly it was a serious error of judgment.

The Guardian

"We committed a serious error in 1996," Mr. Gusinsky said.

The New York Times

The committee said this was "a serious error of judgment".

The Guardian

"The FCA made a serious error in March last year.

The Guardian - Business

Radjabov made a serious error with 13... a5?

The New York Times

Mr Syson believes this to have been a serious error.

The Economist

In this case, the statement has a serious error due to a missing term.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a serious error" when you want to emphasize the gravity and potential negative outcomes of a mistake or misjudgment. This phrase is suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "a serious error" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid using it repetitively in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "grave mistake" or "critical blunder" to maintain reader engagement and emphasize different aspects of the error.

Linguistic Context

A serious error" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It refers to a mistake or fault that has substantial negative consequences. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

23%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serious error" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a mistake with significant negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a noun phrase, suitable for a wide variety of contexts, especially in news and media, academia, and science. Alternatives include "grave mistake" and "critical blunder", each carrying slightly different nuances. When writing, it's important to use the phrase judiciously and vary your language to maintain reader engagement. The phrase appears most frequently in reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, further validating its proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grave mistake

Emphasizes the significance and potential consequences of the mistake.

a critical blunder

Highlights the importance of the situation where the error occurred and the clumsiness of the mistake.

a major oversight

Focuses on the aspect of neglecting something important, leading to the error.

a significant misjudgment

Emphasizes the poor decision-making that resulted in the error.

a costly mistake

Highlights the negative consequences, particularly financial or resource-related, of the error.

a regrettable lapse

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment and the temporary nature of the error.

a damaging fault

Stresses the harmful effects or consequences resulting from the error.

a severe failing

Highlights the deficiency or inadequacy that led to the error.

a glaring error

Emphasizes how obvious and easily noticeable the error was.

a monumental screw-up

Indicates a very large and impactful error, often with informal connotations.

FAQs

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

You can use "a serious error" to describe mistakes or misjudgments that have significant consequences. For example: "The miscalculation in the budget was "a serious error" that led to financial difficulties."

What are some alternatives to "a serious error"?

Some alternatives to "a serious error" include "a grave mistake", "a critical blunder", or "a major oversight". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "serious error" or "grave error"?

Both "serious error" and "grave error" are grammatically correct, but "grave error" implies an even more significant and potentially devastating mistake than "a serious error".

Can "a serious error" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "a serious error" is versatile enough to be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal situations, alternatives like "significant misjudgment" might be preferable.