clear mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, "The teacher pointed out the student's clear mistake in his essay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"This was a clear mistake from the on-site doping control officer," Troicki said.

The New York Times - Sports

I had come to view harsh interrogations as a clear mistake.

The Washington Post

Maingot said that showing the replay on the stadium video screens was "a clear mistake" that "will be corrected".

The New York Times - Sports

When I told this story to people in Athens, everyone took the repeal to be a clear mistake.

The New Yorker

Twelve years of detention without trial have ended for three Uighur men who have left Guantánamo Bay for Slovakia, the US Department of Defense announced on Tuesday, ending a clear mistake of the 9/11 era.

The Guardian

He had raised his hands, palms forward, as if to say that not only would he never do that but it had been a clear mistake in the first case.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The referee was Enrique Morea of Argentina, an impartial official with the power to correct clear mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

"There were some clear mistakes, and we didn't get the calls.

The New York Times - Sports

Looking back, I recognize some clear mistakes we made, and if I had to do it again, I'd do a few things differently.

Harvard Business Review

Fred Abrahams, a special adviser for Human Rights Watch, said the report was consistent with the alliance's refusal to acknowledge clear mistakes, and revealed a "willful decision not to look at civilian casualties".

The New York Times

Explaining its decision not to recall the textbooks, Japan stuck with a rationale that it has invoked from the beginning of the controversy: its lack of authority to interfere in textbook matters in the absence of "clear mistakes".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clear mistake", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand what the mistake is and why it is considered clear or obvious. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "clear mistake" when the mistake is already abundantly obvious from the context. Redundancy can weaken your writing. Instead, focus on the consequences or implications of the mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear mistake" functions as a noun phrase, where "clear" is an adjective modifying the noun "mistake". It identifies a specific type of error, emphasizing its obviousness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear mistake" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the obviousness of an error. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and numerous examples demonstrate its versatility across various contexts. While appropriate in both formal and informal settings, it's best used when the error's visibility is a key point. Alternatives like "obvious error" or "evident blunder" can be used for slight variations in meaning. When writing, make sure to provide context for the "clear mistake" to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obvious error

Replaces "mistake" with "error" and "clear" with "obvious", suggesting something easily noticeable.

evident blunder

Substitutes "mistake" with "blunder" suggesting a more significant error and "clear" with "evident", emphasizing visibility.

palpable oversight

Replaces "mistake" with "oversight", implying a neglected aspect, and "clear" with "palpable", indicating tangibility or obviousness.

plain fault

Uses "fault" instead of "mistake", indicating responsibility or blame, and "plain" instead of "clear", conveying simplicity or obviousness.

unmistakable lapse

Replaces "clear" with "unmistakable" to emphasize the impossibility of misinterpreting the error and "mistake" with "lapse", suggesting a temporary failure in judgment.

glaring inaccuracy

Uses "inaccuracy" instead of "mistake", specifically referring to factual errors, and "glaring" instead of "clear", suggesting a strong, easily visible error.

patent defect

Replaces "mistake" with "defect", indicating a flaw or imperfection, and "clear" with "patent", conveying obviousness and being easily discernible.

unambiguous slip

Uses "slip" instead of "mistake", suggesting a minor error, and "unambiguous" instead of "clear", indicating a lack of uncertainty.

self-evident error

The term 'self-evident' replaces "clear", conveying the idea that the error is obvious without needing explanation or proof.

noticeable gaffe

Substitutes "mistake" with "gaffe", suggesting a social or diplomatic error, and "clear" with "noticeable", emphasizing that it is easily observed.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "clear mistake"?

Some alternatives to "clear mistake" include "obvious error", "evident blunder", or "palpable oversight". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

How can I use the phrase "clear mistake" in a sentence?

You can use "clear mistake" to highlight an error that is easily identifiable. For example, "Ignoring the safety regulations was a "clear mistake" that led to the accident."

Is "obvious mistake" or "clear mistake" more appropriate?

Both "obvious mistake" and "clear mistake" are acceptable. "Obvious" might imply even less room for doubt than "clear", but they are largely interchangeable.

What is the difference between a "clear mistake" and a "simple mistake"?

A "clear mistake" is easily recognized, whereas a "simple mistake" refers to an error that is uncomplicated or easy to fix, but not necessarily obvious.