committed error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "committed error" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe an instance when someone made a mistake. For example: "He committed a serious error when calculating the final figure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That the Americans committed error after error in Iraq, Makiya takes as a given: their biggest mistake, he maintains, was the decision to occupy Iraq and govern the country themselves, rather than allowing the Iraqis to take over.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Had his campaign committed errors along the way?

The New York Times

"I have doubtless committed errors, even faults through negligence," he told the appeal court in Versailles.

The Guardian

I don't ask for any privileges – if I have committed errors I will take the consequences.

The Guardian

The government has conceded that Mao committed "errors," but his reputation in China is still officially sacred.

The New York Times

"I'm sure I have committed errors in the Ibra case, but I'm in charge here," Guardiola said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was the fourth time in five weeks that the Jets' special teams committed errors that resulted in opposing scores.

The New York Times - Sports

"I may have committed errors but I never committed crimes," Rousseff said during a 14-minute address, at one point choking up.

The Guardian

Although it was identified that police had committed "errors and failures" that evening, the officers brought before the inquest were "formally disciplined" and not charged.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our participants inadvertently committed errors but the errors were not the driving mechanism.

EPJ Data Science

Both sides committed errors by moving the pawn to f6.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "committed error" when you want to emphasize the act of making a mistake, especially in formal settings.

Common error

While "committed error" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "made a mistake" or "slipped up" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "committed error" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating the action of making a mistake or doing something incorrectly. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "committed error" is a grammatically correct way to express that someone has made a mistake, as verified by Ludwig AI. While correct, it is relatively rare and leans toward being more formal, typically found in news and scientific contexts. Simpler alternatives like "made a mistake" might be more suitable for casual conversation. Remember to be specific about the error when using this phrase to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made a mistake

Focuses on the act of making a mistake, without necessarily implying fault.

erred

A more formal and concise way of saying someone made an error.

was wrong

A simple and direct way of admitting an error.

miscalculated

Suggests an error in calculation or judgment.

blundered

Implies a significant or clumsy mistake.

slipped up

Suggests a minor, unintentional error.

was at fault

Emphasizes the responsibility for the error.

made an oversight

Highlights that the error was due to a lack of attention.

acted incorrectly

Focuses on the action being wrong or inappropriate.

fell short

Implies a failure to meet a standard or expectation.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "committed error"?

Saying someone "committed error" means they made a mistake or did something wrong, often implying a degree of responsibility or fault.

Is it better to say "committed a mistake" or "committed error"?

"Committed error" is more formal. While "mistake" and "error" are similar, "made a mistake" is generally more common in everyday language.

What are some situations where I might use the phrase "committed error"?

You might use "committed error" in legal contexts, formal reports, or when discussing serious failures or oversights. The phrase "was wrong" is more appropriate for everyday conversation.

Are there alternatives to "committed error" that sound less formal?

Yes, you can use phrases like "slipped up", "made a mistake", or simply ""was wrong"" depending on the situation and desired level of formality.