an error of judgement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'an error of judgement' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to refer to an instance of incorrect decision-making or a mistake in judgement. For example: His actions showed an error of judgement on his part.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's probably a mistake or an error of judgement.

The Guardian

[The matter] has been addressed internally and CA acknowledges it was an error of judgement".

The Guardian - Sport

Schofield apologised personally on the day of his stunt, saying it was an error of judgement.

Independent

The panel, essentially, took their side and they deemed Dean to have made an error of judgement.

The Guardian - Sport

"To confuse the visual style of something with its actual ideological content is an error of judgement," Dusty Limits says.

Independent

But did that constitute a deliberate deception, or did its analysts simply make an error of judgement?

The Economist

"I think they made an error of judgement in refusing to back me and they probably, in retrospect, made an error of judgment in taking his money".

The Guardian

By all accounts he has a bright future ahead of him and I'd hate to see this future ruined by an error of judgement.

The New York Times - Sports

His wilful refusal to acknowledge an error of judgement in a delicate area of professional responsibility will return to haunt him.

Independent

Calvin wrote: "His wilful refusal to acknowledge an error of judgement in a delicate area of professional responsibility will return to haunt him.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

After the broadcast, a Labour Party spokesman said: "The deputy editor of the Daily Mail tonight admitted that it was an 'error of judgement' to publish a picture of Ralph Miliband's grave accompanied by a crude pun.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an error of judgement", clearly specify the context or action where the misjudgment occurred to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "an error of judgement" as a blanket statement without specifying the details of the mistake. Always provide context to explain the specific misjudgment made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an error of judgement" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It describes a specific instance where someone's decision-making process led to an undesirable outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Sport

15%

General

18%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an error of judgement" is a common expression used to describe a mistake resulting from poor decision-making. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used in English. This phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, often related to sports or general news, indicating its relevance in both formal and informal discussions. Alternatives such as "a lapse in judgment" or "a miscalculation" can provide slightly different nuances, depending on the specific context. When using "an error of judgement", it's best practice to provide specific details about the misjudgment to enhance clarity. Avoiding broad generalizations helps ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a poor decision

This phrase is a straightforward way to describe a choice that leads to a negative outcome.

a mistake

This is a general term for an incorrect action or decision.

a lapse in judgment

This phrase emphasizes a temporary failure in someone's ability to make sound decisions.

a miscalculation

This phrase implies a mistake in assessing a situation or planning an action.

an oversight

This phrase suggests a failure to notice something important, leading to a mistake.

an ill-advised action

This alternative suggests an action that was not well thought out or planned.

a blunder

This phrase denotes a clumsy or careless mistake.

a regrettable decision

This implies a decision that one later wishes they had not made.

a faux pas

This phrase, borrowed from French, refers to a social blunder or a breach of etiquette.

an indiscretion

This phrase implies a lack of discretion or good judgment, often in a moral or ethical context.

FAQs

How can I use "an error of judgement" in a sentence?

You can use "an error of judgement" to describe a situation where someone made a mistake due to poor decision-making. For example, "Releasing the statement without prior review was "an error of judgement"".

What are some alternatives to "an error of judgement"?

Some alternatives include "a lapse in judgment", "a miscalculation", or "a poor decision", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "error of judgment" or "error of judgement" correct?

"Error of judgement" and "error of judgment" are both correct. The spelling depends on whether you're using British English (judgement) or American English (judgment). In British English, it's more commonly spelled "judgement".

What's the difference between "an error of judgement" and "a mistake"?

While both refer to incorrect actions, "an error of judgement" implies a flaw in the decision-making process, whereas "a mistake" can be a more general term for any kind of error, regardless of whether it involved poor judgment.