bona fide mistakes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bona fide mistakes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to genuine errors that are not made with any intent to deceive or mislead. Example: "The accountant made some bona fide mistakes in the financial report, which were later corrected."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A bona fide feeding frenzy takes place over sardines.

The New York Times - Arts

Some defendants' confessions even include mistakes fed by the police.

The New York Times

They scored off an intercept and fed off our mistakes.

BBC

Lewis, it seems, did not so much bite the hand that fed him as mistake it for the main meal.

The Guardian - Books

But while it could be "legitimately construed" that Mr Zuma had misled parliament over the renovations, the report also said he may have made a "bona fide mistake".

The Economist

It appears to have been a bona fide mistake and I am accordingly unable to find that his conduct was in violation of... the executive ethics code".

The Guardian

On a key charge, that of whether the president misled parliament, she found that although what he said was incorrect, it was a "bona fide mistake", which did not amount to misconduct.

The Guardian - Opinion

The report said that while it could be "legitimately construed" that Mr Zuma had misled parliament over the renovations, it said it was a "bona fide mistake".

BBC

Because the reader may be suspicious that this is simply a judgment call as to the most natural statistical test, rather than a bona fide mistake in [ 1], we also rerun the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Admitting that her own mistakes may have fed unfavorable impressions of her is still not the style of Mrs. Clinton.

The New York Times

No one (not even John McCain, who tended toward the rapturous when describing Mr. Gramm's economic bona fides) could mistake this sour-visaged investment banker for a populist.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bona fide mistakes", ensure the context clearly indicates that the errors were unintentional and made in good faith. Avoid using it when there's a suspicion of negligence or deliberate deception.

Common error

Avoid using "bona fide mistakes" to excuse errors resulting from negligence or lack of due diligence. The phrase implies genuine unintentionality, not a failure to exercise reasonable care.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bona fide mistakes" functions as a noun phrase modifier, where "bona fide" serves as an adjective clarifying the type of "mistakes". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase can be employed to denote errors that are authentic and devoid of any intent to mislead.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bona fide mistakes" refers to genuine, unintentional errors. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and usable in English. While usage examples are currently unavailable, the phrase's meaning is clear: it denotes errors made in good faith, without any intent to deceive. Alternatives include "genuine errors" or "honest errors". It is vital to avoid misinterpreting its scope and context of usage. While it emphasizes real and unintentional error and a lack of deceitful intention, using "bona fide" implies authenticity and adds emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Genuine errors

Replaces "bona fide" with "genuine", emphasizing the authenticity of the errors.

True mistakes

Simple substitution, which emphasis the mistake is real

Authentic mistakes

Substitutes "bona fide" with "authentic", highlighting the legitimacy of the errors.

Good faith errors

Similar to "bona fide", implying errors made with honesty and sincerity.

Errors of good faith

Changes the word order while maintaining the meaning of errors made in good faith.

Unintentional errors

Focuses on the lack of intent behind the mistakes.

Inadvertent mistakes

Highlights that the mistakes were not planned or deliberate.

Honest errors

Emphasizes the sincerity and lack of malice in the errors.

Legitimate mistakes

Indicates that the mistakes, while incorrect, were made under reasonable circumstances.

Unpremeditated mistakes

Stresses that the mistakes were not planned in advance.

FAQs

How can I use "bona fide mistakes" in a sentence?

You can use "bona fide mistakes" to describe unintentional errors made in good faith. For example, "The audit revealed several "genuine errors" in the financial statements, which were later corrected".

What are some alternatives to "bona fide mistakes"?

Alternatives include "genuine errors", "honest errors", or "unintentional errors" depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "honest bona fide mistakes"?

While "bona fide" already implies honesty, using "honest bona fide mistakes" can add emphasis, though it might be perceived as slightly redundant. Consider the context to determine if the added emphasis is necessary.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "bona fide mistakes"?

It's appropriate to use "bona fide mistakes" when acknowledging errors that were clearly unintentional and not the result of negligence or malicious intent. It's often used in legal, financial, or professional contexts.