accidental mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

"accidental mistake" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "We regret the accidental mistake that led to the wrong information being shared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"This was not small or accidental mistake.

The Guardian

This was not some small or accidental mistake.

The Guardian

Stage three If you disagree with the tribunal's decision you can ask for: • A correction - if you think that there is an accidental mistake in the way the decision has been written (for instance, a mistake in a date or an amount).

The Guardian

We lately discovered that due to an inadvertent and accidental mistake, our review/update [ 1] needs some important corrections; we profusely regret and offer our sincerest apologies and correct the text as under.

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

You don't want to ruin your chances of having a political career due to an accidental mistake in your fundraising practices.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Human word segmentation errors will occur when the subjects try to cheat by segmenting randomly or make accidental mistakes.

Lingua Sinica

Martin's editors, copy editors and fans watch out for accidental mistakes, although some errors have slipped into publication, such as changed eye colors or a switched horse gender.

Wikipedia

This immediate genome-wide visual feedback is crucial for avoiding accidental mistakes in annotation.

Bioinformatics

USEFUL TIP: Press CTRL+Z To undo and accidental mistakes -Deleting the wrong bricks, making too many bricks, etc.-*.

WikiHow

He feared it could lead to an accidental or mistaken launch.

The Washington Post

The most serious missile threat to the United States is an unauthorized, accidental or mistaken launching of Russian nuclear weapons.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "accidental mistake", ensure the context clearly indicates that the mistake was unintentional. This enhances clarity and avoids misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "accidental mistake" when the context already implies a lack of intent. Redundancy can weaken your writing. For instance, saying "The accidental mistake was unintentional" is unnecessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accidental mistake" functions as a noun phrase that describes an error or fault that occurred unintentionally. This is supported by Ludwig's AI, which confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show it used to describe unintentional errors in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accidental mistake" is a grammatically sound and commonly understood expression used to describe an unintentional error. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and identifies its function as a noun phrase clarifying the nature of a mistake by emphasizing the lack of intent. While the phrase is relatively rare, it appears across diverse contexts such as news, science, and wiki sources, suggesting a neutral register. When using "accidental mistake", ensure that the lack of intent is clear to avoid redundancy. Alternatives like "unintentional error" or "inadvertent slip-up" can also be considered based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unintentional error

Focuses on the lack of intent behind the error.

inadvertent slip-up

Emphasizes the casual and unintentional nature of the mistake.

unforeseen blunder

Highlights the unexpected and clumsy nature of the mistake.

chance mishap

Indicates the mistake occurred randomly or by chance.

unintended oversight

Focuses on the aspect of neglect or failure to notice something important.

careless error

Points to the lack of attention or care as the cause of the error.

fortuitous error

Suggests that the mistake, despite being an error, may have a positive outcome.

erroneous slip

Highlights the factual inaccuracy of the mistake.

random fault

Implies that the mistake occurred without any specific reason or pattern.

unwitting transgression

Emphasizes the lack of awareness or knowledge behind the mistake, implying a violation of a rule or standard.

FAQs

What is another way to say "accidental mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "unintentional error", "inadvertent slip-up", or "unforeseen blunder" depending on the context.

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

You might say, "The product recall was due to an "accidental mistake" in the manufacturing process" or "The deletion of the file was an "accidental mistake" and we are working to restore it".

Is "accidental mistake" redundant?

While "mistake" often implies a lack of intention, using "accidental mistake" can emphasize the lack of intent, especially when clarifying that the error was not deliberate.

What's the difference between "accidental mistake" and "error"?

While both terms refer to something incorrect, "accidental mistake" specifically highlights that the error was unintentional. "Error" is a more general term that doesn't necessarily specify intent.