basic error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basic error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental mistake or oversight in reasoning, logic, or execution. Example: "The report was rejected due to a basic error in the calculations that affected the final results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The second is a basic error".

The Guardian - Sport

Had officials not made a basic error, the medal could have been silver.

The New York Times - Sports

Surely a successful businessman would never make such a basic error.

The Guardian

Large corporations tend to make the basic error of overcommitting resources.

Harvard Business Review

All good points, but it is a basic error to say: "It couldn't be worse".

The Guardian

And it was a basic error of reporting that the facts weren't presented.

The Economist

"The very first sentence of the Chief Justice's opinion lays out a basic error in this whole jurisprudence.

The New Yorker

Perhaps that they made the most basic error of all: they misidentified the living as the dead.

The Guardian - Books

That's definitely not a basic error an ad creative somewhere is living in fear of us noticing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

His debut was a nightmare, with two basic error giving up two goals as he struggled to come to terms with his new team mates and the turf.

The Guardian - Sport

After going through Trump's disclosure forms, Tully concluded that whoever had prepared them had made the basic error of conflating "income" with "revenues".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "basic error" when referring to mistakes that stem from a lack of fundamental understanding or oversight. This helps set the tone and severity appropriately.

Common error

Avoid using "basic error" to describe extremely complex or nuanced mistakes. This can undermine your credibility by suggesting you've oversimplified a complicated issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic error" functions as a noun phrase, where "basic" is an adjective modifying the noun "error". It's used to identify a fundamental mistake, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "basic error" is a commonly used term to describe a fundamental mistake or oversight. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous examples from reliable sources, confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "fundamental mistake" or "simple mistake" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. When using "basic error", ensure you clearly identify the error and its impact to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental mistake

Emphasizes the core or essential nature of the mistake.

simple mistake

Highlights the ease with which the mistake could have been made or avoided.

common error

Indicates that the mistake is frequently made.

critical error

Suggests that the mistake has significant consequences.

elementary mistake

Implies the mistake is due to a lack of basic knowledge.

glaring error

Indicates the mistake is obvious and easily noticeable.

egregious error

Signifies the mistake is remarkably bad or shocking.

major blunder

Suggests a significant and clumsy mistake.

oversight

Refers to a mistake due to failing to notice something.

faulty assumption

Highlights that the mistake stemmed from an incorrect belief.

FAQs

How can I use "basic error" in a sentence?

You can use "basic error" to describe a fundamental mistake or oversight. For example, "The report was rejected due to a "basic error" in the calculations".

What are some alternatives to saying "basic error"?

Alternatives include "fundamental mistake", "simple mistake", or "common error", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "basic error" and "critical error"?

"Basic error" refers to a fundamental mistake, while "critical error" suggests the mistake has significant and severe consequences.

When is it appropriate to use the term "basic error"?

Use "basic error" when referring to mistakes that arise from a lack of foundational knowledge or an oversight. Avoid using it for highly complex or nuanced errors.