catch a mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

'catch a mistake' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to detecting or correcting a mistake. For example, "The editor read through the report to catch any mistakes before submitting it to the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

During her probation period as an inspector, Ms. Kim said, the chief placed her under close surveillance by two undercover agents, hoping to catch a mistake.

The New York Times

But if you study the bottle to make sure that the vintage is correct and the producer is the one that you ordered, you not only ensure that you get the right bottle, but if you can catch a mistake, which often happens, that's major points.

The New York Times - Magazine

One learns to master the public language not much differently from the way that one acquires a second language: assess the situations, construct sentences with the right words and the correct syntax, catch a mistake if one can avoid it, or else apologize and learn the lesson after a blunder.

The New Yorker

Better to catch a mistake at filing than to have to deal with IRS problems later.

Forbes

You want to catch a mistake or a smile or something.

Forbes

Challenge them respectfully when you catch a mistake, and challenge during practice the same way you would at a competition.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

(In fact, the first commenter on my last post about the story had clearly been following things more closely than I had, and caught a mistake).

TechCrunch

We also caught a mistake that was driving overestimation of cone-driven b-wave amplitudes in Figure 1 and Table 1.

eLife

Typically, the nominees are an employee who was heads-up enough to catch a significant mistake, someone who filled in for a co-worker or supervisor, someone who went beyond the call of duty to get a job done or someone who did an extraordinarily good job on a difficult project.

The New York Times

But NK didn't catch a foolish mistake Jack made -- sending the one-year anniversary gifts for the new owner to the 6th floor instead of the 60th.

HuffPost

That'll catch a lot of just silly mistakes for you if you go back and see it and you don't have all of that.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When proofreading important documents, read the text aloud. This can help you "catch a mistake" that your eyes might otherwise skip over.

Common error

Avoid using "catch a mistake" when you mean to say someone "made a mistake". "Catching a mistake" means identifying an existing error, while "making a mistake" means creating one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch a mistake" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of identifying or detecting an error. As Ludwig AI explains, it's about detecting or correcting a mistake, aligning with the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "catch a mistake" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that describes the act of identifying or correcting an error. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it appears more frequently in news media, wiki sources, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to focus on detecting errors rather than making them, and alternatives like "identify an error" or "spot an inaccuracy" can provide nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Notice an error

A simpler way of saying to 'catch a mistake'.

Identify an error

Focuses on the act of noticing the error.

Pick up on a mistake

Emphasizes the act of becoming aware of the error.

Detect a fault

Uses a more formal term for error, 'fault'.

Spot an inaccuracy

Emphasizes the lack of precision.

Discern an error

Uses a more formal term for noticing an error.

Find an oversight

Highlights the unintentional nature of the mistake.

Correct an error

Shifts the focus to fixing the mistake.

Reveal an error

Highlighting the act of making error visible.

Uncover a flaw

Suggests a hidden or less obvious error.

FAQs

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

You can use "catch a mistake" when you are referring to detecting or correcting a mistake. For example, "The editor read through the report to catch any mistakes before submitting it to the client".

What are some alternative ways to say "catch a mistake"?

Alternatives include "identify an error", "spot an inaccuracy", or "notice an error" depending on the context.

Is "catch a mistake" formal or informal?

"Catch a mistake" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Which is correct, "catch a mistake" or "catch mistakes"?

Both are correct, but "catch mistakes" is more general, referring to finding multiple errors, while "catch a mistake" refers to finding a single, specific error.