clerical errors

USAGE SUMMARY

"clerical errors" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to mistakes in the paperwork or documents caused by a clerical worker. For example: "The company incurred significant financial losses due to the clerical errors in their accounts department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Abrams blamed these on clerical errors.

The New Yorker

These appear in the main to be clerical errors.

The Guardian - Sport

The Duke team shrugged them off as "clerical errors".

The New York Times

Peace was forced to apologise for describing the breaches as "clerical errors".

The Guardian - Business

Perhaps there are missing documents or clerical errors; or perhaps Snare travelled under another name.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Nyarota has acknowledged clerical errors in their filing papers but denied criminal wrongdoing.

The New York Times

There is just one big problem with attributing violations to mere "clerical errors".

The New York Times

The academy has attributed the claims about the degree to clerical errors.

The New York Times - Arts

Eventually, in all instances where clerical errors were found, and where this was to the candidate's detriment, marks were changed.

The Guardian

Mr. Treffinger attributes the mistakes to clerical errors and says he has hired an accounting firm to straighten them out.

The New York Times

I drove back and forth to D.C., getting fingerprinted, fixing clerical errors, taking the written citizenship test.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing "clerical errors", promptly investigate and rectify them to prevent further complications. Implement regular audits of paperwork and digital records.

Common error

Avoid automatically dismissing "clerical errors" as insignificant. Even seemingly small mistakes can lead to substantial problems if left unaddressed. Implement a system for prioritizing error correction based on potential impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clerical errors" primarily functions as a noun phrase, identifying and categorizing mistakes that occur during clerical tasks. As Ludwig shows, it is used to describe unintentional mistakes in paperwork or data entry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clerical errors" refers to mistakes in routine office tasks, and its usage is grammatically correct and very common across various domains. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is suitable for written English, denoting errors made by clerical staff. While seemingly minor, these errors can have significant consequences if not addressed promptly. Implementing preventative measures and understanding the contexts in which these errors occur is crucial for maintaining accuracy and efficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

administrative mistakes

Replaces "clerical" with "administrative", focusing on the organizational aspect of the error.

paperwork blunders

Substitutes "errors" with "blunders" and specifies the medium as "paperwork", implying potentially more serious consequences.

documentation errors

Refers to errors specifically within documentation processes.

inadvertent errors

Highlights that the errors were unintentional, which may mitigate blame.

unintentional mistakes

Similar to "inadvertent errors", emphasizes the lack of intent behind the mistakes.

typographical errors

Specifies the type of clerical error, focusing on mistakes in typing.

data entry mistakes

Highlights errors made during data input, a common form of clerical work.

record-keeping mistakes

Specifies the error type to mistakes in maintaining records.

filing inaccuracies

Focuses on errors related to filing and organization of documents.

minor errors

De-emphasizes the significance of the errors by describing them as "minor".

FAQs

What does "clerical errors" mean?

The term "clerical errors" refers to mistakes made in routine office tasks such as data entry, filing, and record-keeping. These errors are often unintentional and can range from minor typos to significant inaccuracies that affect important processes.

How serious are "clerical errors"?

The seriousness of "clerical errors" varies. While some may be minor and easily corrected, others can lead to significant problems such as financial discrepancies, legal issues, or reputational damage. It's important to address all errors promptly to minimize potential consequences.

What are some alternatives to "clerical errors"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "administrative mistakes", "paperwork blunders", or "data entry mistakes" to describe similar errors in office work.

How can I prevent "clerical errors"?

To minimize "clerical errors", implement quality control measures such as double-checking data, using automated data entry systems, providing thorough training to staff, and regularly auditing records. Clear procedures and attention to detail are crucial.