confess to error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confess to error" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone admits to making a mistake or acknowledges a fault in a formal or informal context. Example: "After reviewing the report, I must confess to error in my calculations, which led to the incorrect results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Joan confessed to error and was ordered to wear women's clothing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Soon after the row broke out, Mr Borrell acknowledged that his wife, from whom he is now separated, had invested Pta1m ($6,400) in a fund set up by the two officials; he confessed to "errors of judgment".But he had anyway got on the wrong side of his party's string-pullers.

The Economist

The advertising agency and the tobacco company were delighted by the unpaid publicity and were only too happy to confess to the error in the coda, "What do you want, good grammar or good taste?" Like many usage controversies, the brouhaha over "like a cigarette should" is a product of grammatical ineptitude and historical ignorance.

The Guardian - Books

That's not because I like to admit error more than anyone else, it's just that when you think about it, from a definitional standpoint you are the only one who can confess to your own error.

The New Yorker

The entire inquiry is about the struggle between two former lovers, the government and the BBC, to preserve their reputations, a struggle so fierce that neither side could confess to the remotest error.

The Guardian

IT is with great sorrow, and no small amount of embarrassment, that I must confess to some inadvertent errors, omissions and elisions in my best-selling memoir, "A Brief History of Tim".

The New York Times

But as media websites picked up the story and asked Time for an official comment, Zakaria issued a statement and confessed to his error.

The Guardian

Such was the strength of internal and external feeling that the Times, along with its News Corp stablemate, had ignored the story that 96 people were unlawfully killed, that it put out a statement confessing to an error rather than a conspiracy.

The Guardian

The company confessed to the error last month when it told the stock market that it had erroneously stated that performance criteria linked to total shareholder return, a measure of shareholder performance, were linked to awards of shares intended to compensate the chief executive for €775,000 forfeited when he left PPR.

The Guardian - Business

I will confess to having made this conceptual filing error myself.

The Guardian

I confess to bookspotting.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confess to error" when you want to formally acknowledge a mistake or fault. It is appropriate in contexts where transparency and accountability are valued.

Common error

Avoid using "confess to error" in casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "I made a mistake" or "I was wrong" are more suitable for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confess to error" functions as a verb phrase with a prepositional complement. It indicates the act of admitting or acknowledging a mistake, often with a sense of taking responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confess to error" is a grammatically correct phrase used to formally acknowledge a mistake. While confirmed as correct by Ludwig AI, it's relatively rare and more suitable for professional or neutral contexts. Alternatives like ""admit to a mistake"" may be more appropriate in informal settings. Ludwig's examples show the phrase in news, encyclopedia and scientific domains, reflecting its role in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Admit to a mistake

Directly states the act of acknowledging an error.

Acknowledge an error

A more formal way of admitting a mistake, often used in professional settings.

Own up to a fault

Emphasizes taking responsibility for a mistake.

Concede a mistake

Implies reluctantly admitting an error, often in an argument or debate.

Acknowledge wrongdoing

Refers to admitting to an unethical or illegal act.

Admit culpability

Formally acknowledging responsibility for a fault or wrong.

Take responsibility for the error

Highlights the acceptance of accountability for a mistake.

Acknowledge liability

Accepting legal or financial responsibility for a mistake or accident.

Confess to a blunder

Implies admitting to a careless or stupid mistake.

Admit to an oversight

Specifically acknowledges a mistake due to neglecting to notice something.

FAQs

What does "confess to error" mean?

The phrase "confess to error" means to admit that you have made a mistake or that you are at fault. It implies taking responsibility for something that went wrong.

How can I use "confess to error" in a sentence?

You can use it in sentences like, "After reviewing the data, I must "confess to error" in my initial calculations" or "The company had to "confess to error" in its financial reporting."

What are some alternatives to "confess to error"?

Alternatives include "admit to a mistake", "acknowledge an error", or "own up to a fault". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to "confess to error" or "admit a mistake"?

Both phrases are valid, but ""confess to error"" is more formal and carries a stronger sense of acknowledging responsibility. "Admit a mistake" is more general and can be used in a wider range of situations.