a severe mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a severe mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or serious error in judgment or action. Example: "Failing to double-check the calculations resulted in a severe mistake that cost the company a lot of money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"That would be a severe mistake in a bad economy," Mr. Sullivan said.

The New York Times

"They will be making a severe mistake if they think an election campaign will affect how we carry out our foreign policy," the official said.

The New York Times

"Having not seen the details of the Roberts proposal, my reaction is that disbanding and scattering the Central Intelligence Agency at such a crucial time would be a severe mistake".

The New York Times

Not performing an autopsy of Ms. Bhutto "was a severe mistake, especially in the light of past problems with the murders of national leaders," because it will fuel speculation, said Dr. Michael M. Baden, who is a top forensic official for the New York State Police as well as a former New York City chief medical examiner.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

For example, in most diagnosis applications, misrecognition of an "unhealthy" person as "healthy" is a more severe mistake than misrecognition of a "healthy" person as "unhealthy".

Development Growth and Differentiation

We considered misclassification of an SN case in the group without SN as a more severe mistake than vice versa.

BMC Cancer

Some American officials have privately said that pushing for that meeting — in essence forcing the Iraqis to take a public stand on such a controversial matter before working out the politics of presenting it to their constituents and to Parliament — was a severe tactical mistake that ended any possibility of keeping American troops here past December.

The New York Times

Many journalists in Greece and in the rest of Europe share the vision that PM Antonis Samara's move -- which resulted in more than 2,600 people being laid-off in a country where almost 27percentt of Greeks are already unemployed -- was a severe political mistake.

Huffington Post

Tribal Council: Jeff made the severe mistake of asking Powder Puff the Magic Dragonslayer a simple question, "Is that indicative of a tribe in trouble?" for which he received a simple-minded non-response: "I think that at the dawn of every morning, hope springs eternal".

Huffington Post

A partial success meant that the tester was able to create the query but this one contained two or less minor errors (e.g., wrong use of the temporal constraints) or one severe mistake (e.g., wrong use of the EC).

BioMed Research International

It would be a terrible mistake, economically, for the United States to lurch, prematurely, to extreme austerity, to severe austerity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a severe mistake", ensure the context clearly indicates the seriousness and potential consequences of the error. This helps to underscore the gravity of the situation and avoid any ambiguity in your message.

Common error

Avoid using "a severe mistake" when the error is relatively minor or inconsequential. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic or exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a severe mistake" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a specific type of error characterized by its seriousness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a severe mistake" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant error with serious consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While versatile, it's best suited for contexts where the gravity of the error needs to be emphasized, such as in news, scientific, or professional settings. Alternatives like "a grievous error" or "a critical blunder" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Avoid overusing the phrase in trivial situations to maintain its impact and credibility. Remember that while the phrase is correct, careful consideration of the context ensures its appropriate and effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grievous error

This alternative emphasizes the painful or distressing nature of the error.

a critical blunder

This emphasizes the incompetence or carelessness that led to the mistake.

a major miscalculation

This focuses on the aspect of incorrect assessment or planning.

a costly error

This highlights the negative consequences or expenses resulting from the mistake.

a fatal flaw

This suggests that the mistake is so significant that it leads to failure or ruin.

a terrible oversight

This emphasizes the neglect or failure to notice something important.

a monumental lapse

This highlights the significant and memorable nature of the failure.

a strategic misstep

This emphasizes the impact on overall strategy or goals.

a significant failing

This highlights a deficiency or inadequacy that contributed to the mistake.

a glaring inaccuracy

This emphasizes that the mistake is easily noticeable or obvious.

FAQs

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

You can use "a severe mistake" to describe a significant error with serious consequences. For example, "Failing to back up the data was "a severe mistake" that led to a major data loss."

What are some alternatives to "a severe mistake"?

Alternatives include "a grievous error", "a critical blunder", or "a major miscalculation". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

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

While not strictly incorrect, "a very severe mistake" can be redundant. "Severe" already implies a high degree of seriousness, so adding "very" might not add significant emphasis. Consider using stronger synonyms or rephrasing the sentence for greater impact.

What's the difference between "a mistake" and "a severe mistake"?

"A mistake" is a general term for an error or fault. "A severe mistake" indicates that the error is particularly serious, with significant negative consequences. The addition of "severe" emphasizes the gravity of the error.