confession of error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confession of error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone admits to making a mistake or acknowledges an error they have committed. Example: "The accountant issued a confession of error regarding the miscalculation in the financial report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

This is a year of celebration of the man who issued history's most famous confession of error, Galileo.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, it now declares that its confession of error was made by mistake and that larceny and rebbery are separate offenses, cumulatively punishable.

Cornell University

The last time he made a similar confession of error was in mid-2002, when he called for new elections and sweeping change, neither happened.

The New York Times

Schmelzer may not suffer the third part of that punishment because the Bundesliga will, in the light of Stark's confession of error, rescind the ban.

The New York Times - Sports

Sewall was the only judge to admit the error of these decisions, standing silently in the Old South Church in Boston in 1697 while his confession of error and guilt was read aloud.

Britannica

Nor would a lawyer providing effective counsel have waited two years after the confession of error by the Texas attorney general, as a different lawyer for Buck did, to challenge on appeal the trial lawyer's introduction of race in the sentencing proceeding.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Freeh's stance on the last day of the hearings led to lengthy sparring with subcommittee members that overshadowed an extraordinary public confession of errors by an FBI director.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Democrats generally were seeking confessions of error and expressions of regret.

The New York Times

We are hopeful enough to believe the generous confessions of error, backed by actions, constitute the highest wisdom in politics.

The Economist

They demanded a confession of her errors.

The New York Times

While THE CHIEF JUSTICE considered the admission of the defendant's confession harmless error under Chapman, see 499 U.S., at - ----, 111 S.Ct., at 1255 (dissenting opinion), Justice KENNEDY's cogent analysis demonstrated that the error could not reasonably have been viewed as harmless under a standard even more relaxed than the one we announce today.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confession of error" when you want to emphasize the act of admitting a mistake, often with a sense of humility or regret.

Common error

While appropriate in formal settings, consider using simpler terms like "mistake" or "error" in casual conversations to avoid sounding overly dramatic or stiff.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confession of error" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of admitting a mistake. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "confession of error" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the act of admitting a mistake. Ludwig AI confirms it as a valid and usable expression. While "confession of error" is acceptable, it is more suited for formal contexts such as news reports or academic papers. In casual settings, simpler alternatives like "admission of mistake" or simply stating the mistake directly might be more appropriate. While not extremely common, the phrase appears consistently in authoritative sources like The New York Times and Britannica, indicating its legitimacy and usefulness in specific situations. Remember to use "confession of error" when you want to stress accountability and a formal acknowledgment of the mistake.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

admission of mistake

Replaces "confession" with "admission" and "error" with "mistake", offering a slightly less formal tone.

acknowledgment of error

Substitutes "confession" with "acknowledgment", providing a more neutral and formal alternative.

admission of wrongdoing

Focuses on the moral or ethical aspect of the error, implying a violation of rules or norms.

mea culpa

A Latin phrase meaning "my fault", offering a concise and often dramatic way to admit error.

declaration of fault

Replaces "confession" with "declaration", emphasizing the act of openly stating one's responsibility for the error.

avowal of mistake

Uses "avowal" to suggest a sincere and honest admission of the error.

recognition of error

Focuses on the understanding and acceptance of the error, rather than the act of confessing it.

acknowledgment of fault

Similar to "acknowledgment of error" but uses "fault" to emphasize responsibility.

retraction of statement

Specifically refers to taking back a previously made statement that was incorrect.

recantation

A formal and often religious term for withdrawing a previously held belief or statement.

FAQs

What does "confession of error" mean?

The phrase "confession of error" signifies an admission or acknowledgment that one has made a mistake or committed an error. It implies taking responsibility for the error.

How can I use "confession of error" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "After reviewing the data, the scientist issued a "confession of error" regarding their initial findings."

What are some alternatives to "confession of error"?

Alternatives include "admission of mistake", "acknowledgment of error", or "mea culpa".

Is "confession of error" a formal or informal phrase?

While understandable in most contexts, "confession of error" leans towards the formal side. For informal settings, "I made a mistake" or "I was wrong" might be more suitable.