an error on my part

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an error on my part" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when acknowledging a mistake or fault that you have made in a situation. Example: "I apologize for the misunderstanding; it was an error on my part."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

(Later that year, Tabs made a notorious misstep, wading into a debate about bro culture and rape. The affair, Foster told me, "was the one thing in Tabs that I think was a mistake — unequivocally an error on my part").

The New Yorker

That was an error on my part.

The New York Times

I hold my hands up and admit that this was an error on my part," the MP said in a statement.

The Guardian

"That's just an error on my part, and it's the kind of thing you can't do if you're going to win championships or give yourself a chance at it".

The New York Times - Sports

The contradiction between human rights and foreign policy can be productive, he said, "but was it necessary to give it a governmental character by creating a secretary of state?" He answered: "I no longer believe so, and it was an error on my part to propose it to the president".

The New York Times

It was perhaps an error on my part".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It was an error on my own part to get involved.

BBC

| Update | The section from the asterisk down is adjusted to fix an editing error on my part.

The New York Times

"UK Anti-Doping and the Rugby Football League both accepted that I was not trying to enhance my performance and that this was an inadvertent error on my part.

BBC

He added, "It was a costly error on my part that lost us a lot of momentum".

The New York Times - Sports

It was a terrible error on my part".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an error on my part", follow up with an explanation or apology to demonstrate accountability and a willingness to correct the mistake.

Common error

Avoid softening the impact of the admission by using overly passive constructions. Instead of saying "An error was made on my part", state directly "It was an error on my part" to take clear ownership.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an error on my part" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies an implied verb of admission or acknowledgement. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's used to express responsibility for a mistake or oversight.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an error on my part" is a grammatically correct phrase used to acknowledge responsibility for a mistake. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and suggests that it's best used in neutral to professional contexts. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is widely understood and appropriate when a formal tone is desired. Remember to follow up with an explanation or apology to demonstrate sincerity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my mistake

A shorter, more direct way of admitting fault.

I made a mistake

General acknowledgment of a mistake without specifying blame.

it was my fault

Emphasizes responsibility for the error.

I was at fault

Similar to "it was my fault" but phrased differently.

I was wrong

Simple and direct admission of having been incorrect.

I am to blame

Directly accepts culpability.

I take responsibility for the error

More formal and emphasizes acceptance of accountability.

the fault lies with me

Places the blame directly on oneself.

I take the blame

Accepts responsibility, often implying a willingness to face consequences.

I erred in this matter

A more formal and slightly archaic way of saying "I made an error".

FAQs

What does "an error on my part" mean?

The phrase "an error on my part" means that you acknowledge you made a mistake or are responsible for something that went wrong. It is a formal way of accepting blame.

How can I use "an error on my part" in a sentence?

You can use "an error on my part" to admit responsibility for a mistake, such as: "I apologize for the delay; it was "an error on my part"."

What can I say instead of "an error on my part"?

You can use alternatives like "my mistake", "I was wrong", or "it was my fault", depending on the context.

Is "an error on my part" formal or informal?

"An error on my part" is considered a relatively formal way of admitting a mistake. In more casual settings, phrases like "my bad" or "oops" might be more appropriate.