a simple error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a simple error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mistake that is minor or easy to fix. Example: "The report was delayed due to a simple error in the data entry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"I'm not actually sure it was that, but just a simple error".

The Guardian - Sport

"It could have gone either way, and it was just a simple error that let us down.

The Guardian - Sport

In a statement issued by a spokesman, Mr. Ryan tried to laugh the whole thing off as a simple error.

The New York Times

Experts concurred that it was possible that Tokyo Electric had made a simple error in its measurements.

The New York Times

The Redskins said Wednesday that it was a simple error in communication involving an equipment manager's too-eager removal of Jackson's gear that alerted the other players.

The New York Times - Sports

But it turned out that 95percentt of his assets were passing to her in cash because of a simple error in how the assets were titled.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Similarly, we agree that a simple "error-catastrophe-like model" could be worked out in the case of gene-type independent genomes, but such an homogenous gene-type model could hardly been seen as realistic, as pointed out by S. Maslov.

Biology Direct

He tries a lob and misses it – so it's 15-30 instead of 0-40 – but it's then 15-40 on a very simple error from Tomic.

The Guardian - Sport

This simulation study has assumed a very simple error model and compared relative changes of formal errors, but that various error sources and the measurement correlations should be taken into account when we handle an actual observation data set.

Earth, Planets and Space

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you need to know about a very common error in grammar that so many of us make when we are talking with others--a very simple error that is easy to correct.

Huffington Post

In his study, Judge Posner considered how often the Supreme Court had reversed the Ninth Circuit in a way that suggested simple error by the lower court, as opposed to a principled disagreement on a knotty legal question.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When acknowledging "a simple error", follow up with a concise explanation of how it will be corrected to demonstrate accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "a simple error" to dismiss serious problems. If the error has significant consequences, acknowledge the impact before downplaying the cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a simple error" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a mistake that is minor or easily rectified. It often serves to downplay the severity of a mistake.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a simple error" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe a minor mistake. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used to minimize the significance of an error and reassure others that it's easily fixable. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts. While grammatically correct, overusing this phrase or applying it to significant mistakes can be misleading. Consider alternatives like "a minor mistake" or "a slight oversight" depending on the specific situation. When using "a simple error", be transparent about how the issue is being addressed to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor mistake

Emphasizes the insignificance of the error.

a slight oversight

Suggests the error was due to a lack of attention.

a trivial mistake

Highlights the unimportance of the error.

an insignificant error

Focuses on the lack of impact of the error.

an easy mistake to make

Indicates the error is common and easily understandable.

a forgivable error

Implies the error is understandable and should be excused.

a slip-up

A more informal way to describe a small error.

a lapse in judgment

Suggests the error resulted from poor decision-making.

a clerical error

Specifies that the error occurred during administrative tasks.

an honest mistake

Indicates the error was unintentional and made in good faith.

FAQs

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

You can use "a simple error" to describe a minor mistake, such as, "The delay was due to "a simple error" in data entry."

What are some alternatives to saying "a simple error"?

Alternatives include "a minor mistake", "a slight oversight", or "a trivial mistake", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to describe all mistakes as "a simple error"?

No, it's not appropriate to describe all mistakes as "a simple error". This phrase should only be used when the error is genuinely minor and easily corrected. Using it for significant errors can be misleading and dismissive.

What's the difference between "a simple error" and "a mistake"?

"A mistake" is a general term for any error. "A simple error" implies the mistake is small and easily fixed, whereas "a mistake" could range from trivial to significant.