a substantial mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

"a substantial mistake" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it in a sentence such as "He made a substantial mistake when he forgot to include the special instructions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If the Advertisement as reproduced by GNM contains a substantial error solely due to a mistake on GNM's part, GNM shall, on request, re-publish the Advertisement at no additional cost to the Advertiser.

The Guardian

Fred Friendly, the former head of CBS News, asked Dwight Eisenhower in 1961 if he had made any substantial mistakes during his Presidency.

The New Yorker

Well, we haven't seen any substantial mistakes or problems for Ellmers.

Huffington Post

That led to an angry retort from Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers, who wrote in a memorandum to Mr. Clinton that such a release would amount to a "substantial policy mistake" and would, at best have a "modest effect" on prices.

The New York Times

This was a step particularly relevant in preventing substantial mistakes in the succeeding phases of interpretation, as spotted in some previous studies of this earthquake.

Geoscience Letters

On the contrary, the relevant competence should help health workers to uncover misunderstandings about factual matters that can lead to substantial mistakes.

BMC Medical Ethics

As Crabtree explains in the journal: "A hunter-gatherer who did not correctly conceive a solution to providing food or shelter probably died, along with his or her progeny, whereas a modern Wall Street executive that made a similar conceptual mistake would receive a substantial bonus and be a more attractive mate.

The Guardian

"A hunter-gatherer who did not correctly conceive a solution to providing food or shelter probably died, along with his or her progeny, whereas a modern Wall Street executive that made a similar conceptual mistake would receive a substantial bonus and be a more attractive mate," Professor Crabtree says.

Independent

A substantial body of opinion would permit mistakes of law to be asserted in defense of criminal charges in such cases, particularly when the defendant has in good faith made reasonable efforts to discover what the law is.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In Bluestone, with its more dispersed distribution of S and H I, a substantial fraction of hybrids could be mistaken for parentals when 10 or fewer markers were used.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

He even invoked the name of Washington's other great power, Alan Greenspan, declaring that "Chairman Greenspan and I believe that using the Strategic Petroleum Reserve at this time, as proposed by D.O.E., would be a major and substantial policy mistake".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a substantial mistake", consider the context to ensure the adjective accurately reflects the significance and impact of the error. Choose alternative adjectives for lesser or greater impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial mistake" for trivial errors or minor inconveniences. Overstating the severity can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial mistake" functions as a noun phrase, with "substantial" modifying the noun "mistake". It denotes an error of considerable significance or magnitude. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a substantial mistake" is a valid and useful expression for denoting a significant error. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to grammatical norms and finds application across various contexts. While lacking specific examples in the provided data, its inherent structure and semantic content readily convey the gravity of the error in question. When employing this phrase, consider the level of impact that you wish to communicate with suitable alternative adjectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical error

Replaces "mistake" with "error" and "substantial" with "critical", emphasizing the importance and potential consequences of the error.

a significant blunder

Substitutes "mistake" with "blunder" and "substantial" with "significant", suggesting a clumsy or careless error with notable repercussions.

a grave error

Replaces "mistake" with "error" and "substantial" with "grave", highlighting the serious and potentially damaging nature of the error.

a major oversight

Replaces "mistake" with "oversight" and "substantial" with "major", focusing on the failure to notice or consider something important.

a considerable fault

Substitutes "mistake" with "fault" and "substantial" with "considerable", implying a significant flaw or defect.

an egregious mistake

Replaces "substantial" with "egregious", intensifying the description of the mistake as shockingly bad.

a serious lapse in judgment

Replaces "substantial mistake" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing a failure to exercise sound judgment.

a costly miscalculation

Focuses on the negative consequences of the mistake, specifically highlighting its financial impact.

a regrettable error

Emphasizes the feeling of remorse or disappointment associated with the mistake.

a monumental screw-up

Replaces "substantial mistake" with a more informal term, indicating a large and embarrassing error.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial mistake" to describe a significant error. For example, "Failing to properly calibrate the equipment was "a substantial mistake" that cost the company thousands of dollars."

What are some alternatives to saying "a substantial mistake"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a critical error", "a grave error", or "a significant blunder".

Is it better to say "a substantial error" or "a substantial mistake"?

Both "error" and "mistake" are suitable. "Error" might sound slightly more formal, while "mistake" is more common in everyday conversation.

What distinguishes "a substantial mistake" from "a minor mistake"?

"A substantial mistake" implies significant consequences, while "a minor mistake" suggests little or no lasting impact.