a slight error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor mistake or inaccuracy in a statement, calculation, or action. Example: "There was a slight error in the report that needs to be corrected before submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

There was a slight error on our signage.

The New Yorker

He hoped that his partner held the ace, but it proved to be a slight error.

The New York Times - Arts

An assumption of homogeneity enables the solution of the hybrid model with only a slight error.

Applied Thermal Engineering

And making even a slight error can cause the program to fail completely, likely crashing the calculator.

University of California, Berkeley

Why on earth, my friend asked afterward, did they invite you? "A slight error of name," I explained.

The New York Times

A wide range of suboptimal values around the optimal values may cause a slight error in terms of estimation accuracy.

Geoderma

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

However, the estimated harmonic frequencies between two grey bars in Figure 7(a) show that the slight error in fundamental frequency estimation results in the complete mismatch of higher harmonic frequency estimation.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

"You've always got parts of your game you want to pick up, and there's been a few slight errors I'd like to improve on.

BBC

5.10pm BST I-70 - doh! We're recovering from a slight navigational error.

The Guardian - Travel

"She made a slight tactical error in the last five seconds and that was the difference between winning and losing.

The Guardian - Sport

The PDE operating frequency had little impact on detonation initiation time when pre-detonator ignition method was used, and there was a slight deviation error of detonation initiation time at each of the operating frequencies.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When acknowledging "a slight error", be specific about what the error is and how it will be corrected. Transparency builds trust.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of "a slight error". Overreacting can damage credibility and create unnecessary alarm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight error" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a mistake or inaccuracy that is considered to be of minor significance. Ludwig AI confirms that is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight error" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to acknowledge a minor mistake or inaccuracy. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is appropriate for a range of contexts, from news reporting to scientific writing. While it is important not to overstate the impact of such an error, being transparent and specific about it can build trust. Consider alternatives like "a minor mistake" or "a small inaccuracy" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing. Remember to avoid exaggerating the consequences of "a slight error" and specify the correction for transparency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor mistake

Replaces "error" with "mistake", emphasizing the action of making an error rather than the error itself.

a small inaccuracy

Substitutes "error" with "inaccuracy", highlighting the lack of precision or correctness in something.

a trivial mistake

Replaces "slight" with "trivial", emphasizing the insignificance of the mistake.

a negligible error

Substitutes "slight" with "negligible", stressing that the error is so small it can be disregarded.

a technical slip

Replaces "error" with "slip", suggesting a mistake made in a specific process or skill.

a minor oversight

Substitutes "error" with "oversight", indicating that something was unintentionally missed or forgotten.

a small slip-up

Replaces "error" with "slip-up", which is more informal and suggests a casual or accidental mistake.

a forgivable mistake

Replaces "slight error" with "forgivable mistake", which is more acceptable and doesn't cause significant damage.

a mere miscalculation

Replaces "error" with "miscalculation", emphasizing that the cause was a bad calculation and that the extent of the error is minimal.

a modest fault

Replaces both words, "slight" and "error", which indicates a mistake that has a small impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight error" to acknowledge a minor mistake. For example, "There was "a slight error" in the calculation, but it has been corrected."

What's the difference between "a slight error" and "a major error"?

"A slight error" indicates a small, often inconsequential mistake, while "a major error" signifies a significant and potentially damaging mistake.

Which is correct, "a slight error" or "a small mistake"?

Both ""a slight error"" and "a small mistake" are correct and can be used interchangeably, although "a slight error" may sound more formal.

What can I say instead of "a slight error"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor mistake", "a small inaccuracy", or "a trivial mistake depending on the context.