careless mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

'careless mistake' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to a mistake that was made as a result of carelessness. For example, "He made a careless mistake and accidentally left out a crucial document from the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"Was this just a careless mistake, because carelessness could lead to recklessness, or was this deliberate?

The New York Times

"I made a careless mistake," I moaned.

The New Yorker

Today's more media-savvy candidates would not make such a careless mistake.

The Economist

"We had talked about that in the huddle, but it was a careless mistake.

The New York Times - Sports

Was it the result of a bizarre and careless mistake of a lowly henchman?

The Guardian

Batting was perhaps becoming too easy for the home skipper and it was a careless mistake.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Careless mistakes.

Harvard Business Review

He makes careless mistakes.

The New Yorker

We made careless mistakes".

The Guardian - Sport

The first was simply careless mistakes in calculation.

Cornell University

Maybe they make careless mistakes with their numbers or presentations.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "careless mistake", consider the context and whether a more specific term like "oversight" or "blunder" might be more appropriate to convey the severity and nature of the error.

Common error

While "careless mistake" is widely understood, be mindful of using it too generically. If the error stemmed from a lack of knowledge, miscalculation, or poor judgment, a more precise description will improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "careless mistake" functions as a noun phrase, where "careless" modifies the noun "mistake". As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically sound and commonly used in written English. It identifies a type of error resulting from a lack of attention or diligence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "careless mistake" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe an error arising from a lack of attention or diligence. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for describing a wide range of scenarios. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific contexts. While acceptable in most settings, remember to assess the specific situation and, when possible, use a more precise alternative, such as "negligent error" or "avoidable blunder", for enhanced clarity. Avoid overuse and choose more precise terms when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negligent error

Replaces "careless" with "negligent", implying a failure to exercise the expected level of care.

inadvertent error

Replaces "careless" with "inadvertent", stressing the unintentional nature of the mistake.

avoidable blunder

Substitutes "mistake" with "blunder", suggesting a more significant and easily preventable error.

preventable mistake

Emphasizes that the mistake could have been avoided with more attention.

thoughtless error

Replaces "careless" with "thoughtless", indicating a lack of consideration.

unforced error

Commonly used in sports and other competitive contexts to describe a mistake that was not caused by the opponent.

oversight

Implies something was missed or not noticed due to carelessness.

lapse in judgment

Focuses on the decision-making aspect of the mistake, suggesting a temporary failure to think clearly.

slip-up

A more informal term for a minor mistake.

unintentional faux pas

A more formal alternative suggesting a social blunder made without intending to offend.

FAQs

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

You can use "careless mistake" to describe an error that occurred due to a lack of attention or thought, for example, "The project was delayed due to a "careless mistake" in the initial planning phase".

What are some synonyms for "careless mistake"?

Alternatives for "careless mistake" include "negligent error", "avoidable blunder", or "unforced error", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "careless mistake"?

While some might argue that all mistakes involve some degree of carelessness, the phrase "careless mistake" emphasizes the lack of attention or diligence that led to the error, making it a valid and commonly used expression.

What is the difference between a "careless mistake" and a "deliberate error"?

A "careless mistake" is unintentional and results from a lack of focus or attention. In contrast, a "deliberate error" is intentional and made with a specific purpose, often to deceive or mislead.