avoidable mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoidable mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an error that could have been prevented with proper care or attention. Example: "The project was delayed due to an avoidable mistake in the planning phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It was an avoidable mistake too.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a bad idea and an avoidable mistake.

The New York Times

First, we asked them to discuss an avoidable mistake the United Nations had made within the last five years.

The New York Times

This case is another reminder that the establishment of Guantanamo Bay, and the creation of these military tribunals, was an enormous and easily avoidable mistake.

The New York Times

"I am not concerned with whether serialism is intrinsically good or bad, natural or unnatural, an inevitable evolution or an avoidable mistake," he writes, "although those concerns were, and remain, alive in the literature".

The New York Times - Arts

On a similar note, another easily avoidable mistake is forgetting to actually sign all your documents.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Too bad he sees lives like mine as avoidable mistakes.

The New York Times - Magazine

"These were careless mistakes, they were avoidable mistakes, but they were unintentional," he said.

Independent

And why he mattersMar 9th 2000But there were also avoidable mistakes.

The Economist

Even when they're set up properly, avoidable mistakes often happen during implementation.

Harvard Business Review

It is also bad for policy, because policy informed by flawed science can lead to avoidable mistakes.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or ethical discussions, frame actions that led to negative outcomes as "avoidable mistakes" to emphasize responsibility and the need for preventative measures.

Common error

While versatile, "avoidable mistake" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "something we could have prevented" or "an error we should have seen coming" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoidable mistake" functions as a noun phrase, where "avoidable" modifies "mistake". It's used to describe a specific type of error, one that could have been prevented. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and can be used to describe errors that could have been prevented.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avoidable mistake" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe errors that could have been prevented. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is indeed usable in written English. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, highlighting failures in planning or execution. While versatile, it's important to consider the tone; simpler alternatives may be preferable in informal settings. When using "avoidable mistake", emphasize accountability and the need for preventative measures. Alternatives like "preventable error" or "unnecessary blunder" can provide nuance, but be sure the replacement makes sense with the tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preventable error

Replaces "mistake" with "error" and "avoidable" with its synonym, "preventable", emphasizing the possibility of averting the error.

needless mistake

"Needless" emphasizes the lack of necessity for the mistake to occur.

easily avoided error

Adds emphasis to the ease with which the error could have been prevented.

unnecessary blunder

"Blunder" implies a more significant mistake, while "unnecessary" highlights the preventability aspect.

preventable lapse

"Lapse" suggests a temporary failure or error in judgment that could have been prevented.

unwarranted mistake

"Unwarranted" suggests the mistake was unjustified or uncalled for.

rectifiable oversight

Replaces "mistake" with "oversight", suggesting an unintentional error, and "avoidable" with "rectifiable", indicating it can be corrected.

controllable error

Emphasizes the element of control that could have prevented the mistake.

remediable fault

"Fault" implies a defect or weakness, while "remediable" suggests the possibility of fixing it.

unforced error

This term, often used in sports, describes a mistake that wasn't caused by the opponent's actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "avoidable mistake" to describe an error that could have been prevented with better planning or execution. For example, "The project's failure was due to a series of "avoidable mistakes" in the initial design phase."

What's the difference between "avoidable mistake" and "unnecessary mistake"?

"Avoidable mistake" emphasizes the possibility of preventing the error with foresight or caution, while "unnecessary mistake" stresses that the mistake was not needed or justified in the first place. They are very similar, but avoidable stresses more directly the possibility of prevention.

What can I say instead of "avoidable mistake" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "preventable error", "rectifiable oversight", or "remediable fault" for a more sophisticated tone.

Is "avoidable mistake" redundant?

While some might argue that all mistakes are, by definition, avoidable, using the phrase "avoidable mistake" serves to highlight that the error in question was particularly easy to prevent and thus reflects poorly on those responsible. The emphasis is on the ease of prevention.