an error of mine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an error of mine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when acknowledging a mistake that you have made. Example: "I apologize for the confusion; that was an error of mine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The pontiff replied that it had been "an error of mine not to think about this".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There has been no loss to the taxpayer as a result of any error of mine.

The Guardian

That is an error of about 30%!

WikiHow

These "singleton clusters" often result from an error during the mining process using LTRharvest, for instance, the detection of two closely inserted solo-LTRs.

Genome Biology and Evolution

He's a constituent of mine, a friend of mine.

BBC

President Clinton was an acquaintance of mine.

The New York Times

"It's an idiosyncrasy of mine.

The New Yorker

It's an ambition of mine".

BBC

"He's an idol of mine".

BBC

He's an old friend of mine.

The New Yorker

It's an old favorite of mine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an error of mine" when directly admitting a mistake, especially in situations where formality is required but directness is also valued.

Common error

Avoid using "an error of mine" in overly casual or informal conversations. Simpler phrases like "my mistake" or "my bad" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an error of mine" functions as a possessive phrase, directly indicating that the speaker acknowledges responsibility for a mistake. It serves to attribute the error specifically to the speaker, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples where individuals own up to oversights or misjudgments.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an error of mine" is a grammatically correct possessive phrase used to acknowledge personal responsibility for a mistake. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While "my mistake" or "my error" serve as more concise alternatives, "an error of mine" provides a formal tone suitable for professional contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, its frequency is rare, indicating it's not an everyday expression but appropriate when a direct and relatively formal admission of fault is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my mistake

Directly attributes the fault to the speaker, shorter and more informal.

my error

Synonymous, using a single noun to indicate fault.

the fault is mine

Emphasizes responsibility, slightly more formal.

i was mistaken

Acknowledges a misunderstanding or misjudgment.

i erred

A more formal and less common way to admit a mistake.

it was my oversight

Highlights negligence or inattention as the cause of the error.

i take full responsibility

Expresses a willingness to accept the consequences of the error.

i messed up

Informal way to admit a mistake, suitable for casual contexts.

i dropped the ball

Idiomatic way to express failing to fulfill a responsibility.

that's on me

Informal way of taking responsibility for something.

FAQs

What does "an error of mine" mean?

It means that a mistake was made by the speaker, who is taking ownership and responsibility for it.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an error of mine"?

It is appropriate in situations where you want to formally acknowledge a mistake, such as in a professional setting or when writing.

What can I say instead of "an error of mine"?

You can use alternatives like "my mistake", "my error", or "the fault is mine" depending on the context.

How does "an error of mine" compare to "a mistake of mine"?

The phrases are very similar, but "an error of mine" can sound slightly more formal or serious than "a mistake of mine".