clear error

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear error" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a mistake or an incorrect decision that is obvious, easily visible, and beyond a reasonable doubt. Example: The judge dismissed the case, citing a clear error in the law cited by the plaintiff.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

This was "clear error," Justice Alito said.

The New York Times

"This was clear error," he said.

The New York Times

Overruffing would have been a clear error, so he discarded.

The New York Times - Arts

The gloss of clear error fails to give proper deference to state courts by conflating error (even clear error) with unreasonableness...

The New York Times

In Van Tran v. Lindsey, the Ninth Circuit defined "objectively unreasonable" to mean "clear error".

The New York Times

Because I do not believe the court below committed clear error, I respectfully dissent.... Reviewing for clear error, I cannot say that the district court's view of the evidence was impermissible.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Fortunately the journal soon thereafter published a rebuttal by myself, John Abraham, and colleagues detailing the clear errors in Akasofu's paper.

The Guardian

David Elleray, the former Premier League referee who sits on Ifab's technical subcommittee, said: "The main objective is to try to eliminate clear errors by the referee.

The Guardian - Sport

Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that because "this is a capital case, and clear errors of law such as those here should be redressed," she dissented from her court's decision and laid out the Kentucky court's errors.

The New York Times

After a review of the textbook by a government-appointed panel of experts, Japan conceded that there had been clear errors in only 2 of the 25 areas where South Korea had demanded changes, both of them concerning relatively obscure aspects of ancient history.

The New York Times

Many of these unfortunate experiences are consequences of errors in the implementation of the procedure, but in other cases, clear errors of conception were the cause.

Research in Transportation Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear error" to emphasize that a mistake is easily identifiable and leaves no room for doubt. This can strengthen your argument or critique.

Common error

Avoid using "clear error" when assessing subjective judgments or matters of opinion. Reserve it for situations where the mistake is objectively verifiable and not open to interpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear error" functions as a noun phrase, where 'clear' modifies 'error'. It is used to describe a mistake that is easily recognizable and leaves no room for doubt. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear error" is a frequently used phrase in English, indicating an easily identifiable and obvious mistake. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, mainly in news, science, and formal settings. When using this phrase, make sure the error you are describing is objectively verifiable to avoid misapplication. Alternatives like "obvious error" or "unmistakable error" can offer slightly different nuances. Remember, while the phrase is versatile, its impact is greatest when reserved for situations requiring a strong and definitive assertion of a mistake.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explicit error

Emphasizes that the mistake is clearly stated or defined.

definite error

Highlights the certainty and unambiguous nature of the mistake.

unambiguous error

Stresses that the mistake is not open to interpretation or doubt.

obvious error

Focuses on the immediately apparent nature of the mistake.

plain error

Indicates the mistake is simple and easy to recognize.

patent error

Suggests the mistake is glaring and easily discernible.

manifest error

Emphasizes that the mistake is undeniably evident.

palpable error

Highlights that the mistake is easily perceived or felt.

evident error

Focuses on the readily visible nature of the mistake.

unmistakable error

Stresses that the mistake cannot be confused with anything else.

FAQs

How to use "clear error" in a sentence?

You can use "clear error" to describe an obvious mistake or fault, such as: "The judge overturned the decision due to a "clear error" in procedure."

What can I say instead of "clear error"?

Alternatives to "clear error" include "obvious error", "plain error", or "unmistakable error" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very clear error"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "very clear error" can be redundant. "Clear" already implies a lack of ambiguity, so adding "very" might not add significant value to the phrase.

What's the difference between "clear error" and "honest mistake"?

"Clear error" implies an easily identifiable and often inexcusable mistake, while "honest mistake" suggests an unintentional error made in good faith. The former often implies negligence or incompetence, whereas the latter implies excusable human fallibility.