big errors

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "big errors" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this term when referring to mistakes of a significant magnitude or scale. For example, "The math test contained several big errors that made it difficult to calculate the final answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"He made three big errors in extra time of a World Cup final.

The Guardian - Sport

In the Boston Archdiocese, he said, "big errors in judgment were made".

The New York Times

"People are smart, but they tend to make big errors, and they do it in groups," Mr. Shiller said.

The New York Times

Looking back, I think the failure to tackle this issue will be seen as one of Obama's big errors.

The New Yorker

"As long as she doesn't make any big errors of judgment, the party will chose her as its presidential candidate".

The Guardian

"We think the key to long-term success in this business is making as few big errors as we can," Mr. Olstein said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"I think they really made a big error".

The New York Times - Sports

That was the first big error from the Dutchman.

The Guardian - Sport

Saying I was "severely conservative" was another big error.

The New Yorker

The forecast comes with a big error bar, however.

The Guardian

Our big error was in assuming the wily coach had taken leave of his senses.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "big errors", ensure the context clearly indicates the scale and impact of the mistakes. For instance, specify who made the errors and what consequences resulted from them.

Common error

Avoid using "big errors" when the mistakes are minor or inconsequential. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact when describing truly significant errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big errors" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "big" modifies the noun "errors". As noted by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English. This phrase typically refers to mistakes or inaccuracies of significant magnitude.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "big errors" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression utilized to highlight substantial mistakes or inaccuracies. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its correct usage spans various contexts, from news reports to scientific publications. While synonyms like "significant mistakes" and "major blunders" offer alternative phrasing, "big errors" remains a direct and effective way to convey the gravity of errors, while being careful not to overstate the significance of the situation at hand. The phrase's usage patterns are most prevalent in news and media and scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant mistakes

Replaces "big" with "significant" and "errors" with "mistakes", both conveying a similar level of importance and incorrectness.

major blunders

Substitutes "big" with "major" and "errors" with "blunders", suggesting mistakes of considerable magnitude and often implying carelessness.

grave miscalculations

Replaces "big" with "grave" and "errors" with "miscalculations", emphasizing the serious consequences of the mistakes.

serious oversights

Substitutes "errors" with "oversights", implying that the mistakes were due to a lack of attention or carefulness.

critical faults

Replaces "big" with "critical" and "errors" with "faults", highlighting the importance and potential impact of the mistakes.

substantial inaccuracies

Replaces "errors" with "inaccuracies", specifying that the mistakes are related to incorrect or imprecise information.

egregious lapses

Replaces "big" with "egregious" and "errors" with "lapses", conveying a sense of shocking or remarkably bad mistakes.

fundamental flaws

Substitutes "errors" with "flaws", implying that the mistakes are inherent or foundational issues.

glaring defects

Replaces "errors" with "defects", suggesting easily noticeable and significant imperfections or faults.

palpable inaccuracies

Replaces "big" with "palpable" which means easily perceptible and "errors" with "inaccuracies", specifying that the mistakes are related to incorrect or imprecise information.

FAQs

How can I use "big errors" in a sentence?

You can use "big errors" to describe significant mistakes. For example, "The company made "big errors" in its financial projections, leading to substantial losses".

What are some synonyms for "big errors"?

Alternatives to "big errors" include "significant mistakes", "major blunders", or "serious oversights", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "big errors" or "large errors"?

"Big errors" and "large errors" are both acceptable, but ""big errors"" is generally more common and idiomatic. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "mistakes" and "errors"?

While often used interchangeably, "errors" typically imply a deviation from accuracy or correctness, while "mistakes" can include errors in judgment or behavior. Using "big errors" emphasizes a deviation from accuracy, while using "big mistakes" might refer to a broader range of faults.