complete mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complete mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is entirely erroneous or incorrect. Example: "I made a complete mistake when I submitted the wrong report to my supervisor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"I think it's a complete mistake and ought to be pointed out".

The New York Times - Books

"It would be a complete mistake, because of the disappointment in Copenhagen, to abandon all our targets now".

The New York Times

"To mark down international stocks carte blanche because they're not U.S. companies was a complete mistake," he said.

The New York Times

"It is a complete mistake to believe that there is a dilemma between schemes for increasing employment and schemes for balancing the Budget," Keynes wrote.

The New Yorker

"This special clause was a complete mistake," said Yoshimi Watanabe, a member of Parliament who sits on the finance committee in the lower house.

The New York Times

"There was this one line with Joe - that it was all a complete mistake and should be written out of history like so much of his past - but there were other times when he would say he was quite proud of that last album in a weird way".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He published the paper elsewhere, Mr. Brooks writes, "complete with the mistake".

The New York Times - Science

Romo, whom the Giants intercepted five times in two games last season, rarely made a mistake, completing 15 of 24 passes for 345 yards, throwing four touchdown passes and scoring on a 9-yard run.

The New York Times - Sports

In his scenario, Jessica has just been waiting her whole life to be blessed with the attention of a complete stranger who mistakes hunched shoulders, darting eyes and rictus for laughing and smiling.

The Guardian

You might have seen our video cut of this edition of the show, but this podcast will give you the full conversation, complete with a mistaken metaphor involving an unspeakable body part and the House floor.

Huffington Post

The sole exception was one week when the update was internally completed, but a mistake in changing the public DNS entries went undetected for several hours past the deadline, resulting in the update not being visible to the public on time.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "complete mistake" to strongly emphasize the degree to which something is erroneous. For milder errors, consider alternatives like "simple mistake" or "minor error".

Common error

While "complete mistake" is acceptable in various settings, reserve it for situations where a strong emphasis is needed. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete mistake" functions as a noun phrase, where "complete" modifies the noun "mistake". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English, serving to strongly emphasize the error.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complete mistake" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression for emphasizing a thorough error. Ludwig AI supports this, noting its purpose is to indicate something entirely erroneous. While suitable across various contexts, from News & Media to Science, alternatives like "utter error" or "total blunder" may offer nuance. When writing, use "complete mistake" for strong emphasis, but consider its impact in informal settings to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter error

Emphasizes the error as total and absolute, similar to "complete mistake" but with a slightly more formal tone.

huge error

Conveys a mistake of substantial magnitude.

total blunder

Suggests a more significant and often embarrassing mistake.

grave error

Implies a severe and consequential mistake.

critical error

Stresses the mistake's potential to cause significant problems or failure.

absolute failure

Indicates a lack of success, focusing on the negative outcome rather than the incorrect action.

serious misjudgment

Highlights the poor decision-making aspect of the mistake.

major oversight

Points to a mistake stemming from negligence or a failure to notice something important.

catastrophic error

Highlights the devastating consequences of the error.

major fault

Suggests that the mistake is related to a flaw in character or design.

FAQs

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

You can use "complete mistake" to emphasize that something was entirely wrong. For example, "Hiring that consultant was a "complete mistake", as their advice led to significant losses."

What can I say instead of "complete mistake"?

You can use alternatives such as "utter error", "total blunder", or "absolute failure" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits the situation.

Is "complete mistake" the same as "big mistake"?

"Complete mistake" implies that something was entirely wrong from start to finish, whereas "big mistake" simply suggests a mistake with significant consequences. The former emphasizes the thoroughness of the error, the latter its impact.

Which is correct, "complete mistake" or "total mistake"?

Both "complete mistake" and "total mistake" are acceptable, but "complete mistake" is somewhat more common. "Total mistake" is also correct and interchangeable, but be aware of which one is most appropriate for your audience and context.