a significant mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

'a significant mistake' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever you want to emphasize an error or mistake that has a large effect. Example: The CEO made a significant mistake in failing to properly train the new team members.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"They felt like it was a significant mistake on my part.

The New York Times

Woods played steady through Amen Corner, the only player to that point without a significant mistake.

The New York Times - Sports

Both Ian Katz, the G2 Editor, and Emma Brockes agreed that a significant mistake had been made.

The Guardian

It is necessary to use a correction, clarification or editor's note to inform readers whenever we correct a significant mistake.

The Washington Post

He acknowledges that the administration "made a significant mistake in not consulting adequately either Congress or its allies".

The New York Times - Books

Google said adopting either notion would be a "significant mistake, as a matter of public policy and as a matter of fairness".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

If your team is of the quality it should be then any significant mistake will not be down to inability, carelessness or laziness but a failure in the system, in briefing, communication or training.

Forbes

He also said that he believed it would be "a very significant mistake" for Mr. Trump to fire Mr. Mueller, but emphasized that he was concerned about what he described as conflicts.

The New York Times

This is a more significant mistake than it seems since the fact that these planes, the most accurate bombers in the Condor Legion, did not take part indicates that the attack was directed against civilian not military targets, which the fascists always denied.

The Guardian - Books

"It is a pretty significant mistake," Judge Leslie Southwick said.

Vice

Pointing to Trump's personal attorney, who declined to rule out firing Mueller during an appearance on ABC's This Week, Ruddy said, "I think he's weighing that option," adding, "I personally think it would be a very significant mistake".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a significant mistake" to emphasize the importance or impact of an error, rather than simply stating that a mistake occurred. This is especially useful in formal writing or when discussing serious consequences.

Common error

While "a significant mistake" is appropriate in many situations, avoid overusing it in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a major error" or "a critical blunder" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant mistake" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant mistake" is a versatile phrase used to highlight errors with noteworthy consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability across various contexts. While widely used, it's beneficial to diversify your vocabulary with synonyms like "a major error" or "a serious oversight" to prevent repetition. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business settings, demonstrating its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major error

Emphasizes the size and impact of the error.

a critical blunder

Highlights the potential for negative consequences.

a serious oversight

Focuses on the neglect or failure to notice something important.

a grave miscalculation

Stresses the faulty judgment or estimation involved.

a costly lapse

Points out the financial or other types of costs associated with the mistake.

a notable failing

Emphasizes a lack of success or effectiveness.

a considerable fault

Highlights the degree to which the mistake is at fault.

a substantial defect

Focuses on a shortcoming or imperfection.

a regrettable error

Emphasizes the feeling of sorrow or disappointment caused by the mistake.

a damaging gaffe

Highlights the unintended remark or action that caused harm or embarrassment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant mistake" to describe an error that had important consequences. For example: "Failing to back up the data was "a significant mistake" that resulted in data loss."

What are some synonyms for "a significant mistake"?

Alternatives to "a significant mistake" include "a major error", "a critical blunder", or "a serious oversight", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "significant mistake" or "major mistake"?

Both "significant mistake" and "major mistake" are correct. "Significant" often implies that the mistake had notable consequences or importance.

Can "a significant mistake" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

"A significant mistake" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very informal situations, simpler terms like "big mistake" might be preferred.