a severe miscalculation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a severe miscalculation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant error in judgment or estimation, often with serious consequences. Example: "The company's decision to expand without proper market research proved to be a severe miscalculation, leading to substantial financial losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And I think was a severe miscalculation.

The New Yorker

Mr. Romney on Wednesday said the embassy statement, which was disavowed by the administration, was "akin to apology, and I think was a severe miscalculation".

The New York Times

He said a statement issued by the American Embassy in Cairo before the deaths criticizing an anti-Islamic video was "akin to an apology" and a "severe miscalculation".

The New York Times

On Wednesday Mr. Romney continued to take aim at the Obama administration's handling of unfolding developments in the Mideast, accusing the administration of a "severe miscalculation" and calling its handling of the matter "akin to an apology".

The New York Times

And — and the statement came from the administration — and the embassy is the administration — the statement that came from the administration was a — was a statement which is akin to apology and I think was a — a — a severe miscalculation".

The New York Times

JACKSONVILLE, Fla .— Mitt Romney on Wednesday took aim at the Obama administration's handling of unfolding developments in the Mideast, including the death of an American ambassador in Benghazi, Libya, accusing the administration of a "severe miscalculation" and calling its handling of the matter "akin to an apology".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The "severe miscalculation" may have been Romney's.

The New Yorker

Senator McCain's prescription for killing Iranian people, beyond a gross joke, is a reflection of a sad reality: a foreign policy that suffers from severe miscalculations and lack of principles.

Huffington Post

It's a dangerous miscalculation.

The New York Times - Books

This was a serious miscalculation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was a serious miscalculation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a severe miscalculation", ensure that the context clearly explains the consequences of the miscalculation to emphasize its severity.

Common error

Avoid using "a severe miscalculation" for minor errors or situations where the consequences are not significant. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a severe miscalculation" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a severe miscalculation" is a noun phrase used to denote a significant error in judgment that leads to serious negative outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various written contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase serves to emphasize the gravity of an error. Alternatives such as "a gross misjudgment" or "a critical error in judgement" can be used depending on the specific context and desired emphasis. It is crucial to reserve this phrase for situations where the consequences are genuinely significant to avoid diluting its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a gross misjudgment

Emphasizes the poor quality of the judgment involved.

a critical error in judgement

Highlights that the error was crucial and had significant consequences.

a major blunder

Suggests a careless or foolish mistake.

a terrible oversight

Focuses on the aspect of neglecting something important.

an egregious mistake

Emphasizes the shocking or outstanding nature of the mistake.

a fatal flaw in reasoning

Highlights the logical error that led to the miscalculation.

a significant underestimation

Specifically refers to a miscalculation where something was underestimated.

a costly misstep

Emphasizes the negative consequences or cost associated with the miscalculation.

a regrettable lapse in judgment

Adds a tone of regret and emphasizes the temporary nature of the error.

an epic fail

Informal phrase emphasizing the magnitude of the failure.

FAQs

How to use "a severe miscalculation" in a sentence?

You can use "a severe miscalculation" to describe a significant error in judgment or estimation, particularly one with serious consequences. For example, "The company's failure to anticipate market trends proved to be "a severe miscalculation", leading to substantial losses."

What can I say instead of "a severe miscalculation"?

You can use alternatives like "a gross misjudgment", "a critical error in judgement", or "a major blunder depending on the context.

What makes a miscalculation "severe"?

A miscalculation is considered "severe" when it leads to significant negative consequences, such as financial losses, strategic failures, or other serious repercussions. It implies that the error had a substantial impact.

Is it always negative to make "a severe miscalculation"?

Yes, the phrase "a severe miscalculation" always carries a negative connotation. It describes an error that has resulted in adverse outcomes.