conscious mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conscious mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an error that someone is aware of at the time of making it, often implying intent or awareness of the action. Example: "He made a conscious mistake in his calculations, knowing it would lead to a different outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The father is a son, a son can be a father, and when the old woman briefly becomes conscious she mistakes the young man for the old.

The New York Times - Books

Palahniuk has achieved this by somehow inserting himself between the brainstem of a fat, worried, precocious teenage girl and, though purists might insist there's no difference, that of Russell Brand – the sentence construction wilfully self-conscious, the mistakes forgivably laughable.

The Guardian - Books

Live broadcasting demands considerable self-policing of speech: conscious that any mistake or infelicity may be seized by a gaffe-watch column or, increasingly these days, that a word might breach one of the ever-fattening regulatory handbooks on inappropriate language.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

To focus inward in an effort to live our own lives fully, to love deeply, to be conscious in our mistakes and present to our pain.

HuffPost

I have matured slightly, though, as I am more conscious of my mistakes and miscues, I stop commenting a little earlier than I used to, and I try to think about the perspective of others.

HuffPost

In fact, Sāṃkhya philosophers argue that our experience of ourselves as conscious beings is a mistake that needs to be rectified in order to achieve liberation.

SEP

And all too often, crises occur when some official or officials take conscious choices under the mistaken impression that they will be relatively harmless.

The Economist

Although I have no doubt that unconscious phenomena exist and likely play a central role in our conscious experience, it is mistaken to speak of the unconscious as if it were some sort of psychic container that existed at some point in time and space.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hold onto the pain just so you become conscious to not repeat their mistake.

Huffington Post

I'm less arrogant about my own talents and importance, more conscious of my weaknesses and mistakes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While conscious of his defects and mistakes, she reminds readers of Robespierre's "passionate commitment to democracy," of "the depth of his commitment to the poor," of his advanced ideas on education, minorities and taxation, and of his consistent identification "with the victims of injustice".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conscious mistake", ensure the context clearly indicates that the person was aware of the potential for error at the time of the action. This phrase implies a degree of intent or acceptance of the risk.

Common error

Don't automatically assume a "conscious mistake" is malicious. It might reflect a calculated risk, a necessary compromise, or acceptance of imperfection in specific circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conscious mistake" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "conscious" modifies the noun "mistake". According to Ludwig AI, this construction describes an error made with awareness or intent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

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Science

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Wiki

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Less common in

Formal & Business

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Encyclopedias

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Unknown

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conscious mistake" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an error made with awareness. Although Ludwig AI deems it correct, its usage is relatively rare. It appears in diverse contexts like news, science, and general discourse. The phrase implies that the error wasn't accidental, suggesting a deliberate choice, calculated risk, or acceptance of imperfection. Related phrases such as "deliberate error" or "intentional blunder" can be used as alternatives, depending on the intended emphasis. While the phrase does not always imply malice, care should be taken to avoid such assumptions in context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliberate error

Emphasizes the intentional nature of the mistake.

intentional blunder

Highlights the purposefulness behind the significant error.

knowing mistake

Stresses the awareness of the mistake being made.

calculated error

Focuses on the planned or premeditated aspect of the mistake.

purposeful mistake

Highlights that the mistake was done with a specific aim or goal.

voluntary mistake

Indicates the mistake was done willingly and not by accident.

aware mistake

Focuses on the consciousness of the error at the moment of commission.

premeditated mistake

Emphasizes that the mistake was planned in advance.

studied mistake

Suggests a mistake that has been carefully considered or rehearsed.

orchestrated mistake

Implies a complex or carefully arranged plan that includes the mistake.

FAQs

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

You can use "conscious mistake" to describe a situation where someone is aware they are making an error, but proceed anyway. For example: "He made a "conscious mistake" in his calculations, knowing it would lead to a different outcome."

What is the difference between a "conscious mistake" and a regular mistake?

A regular mistake is unintentional, while a "conscious mistake" implies awareness of the error being made. The key difference lies in the intent and knowledge of the person making the error.

What can I say instead of "conscious mistake"?

Alternatives to "conscious mistake" include "deliberate error", "intentional blunder", or "knowing mistake", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative to make a "conscious mistake"?

Not necessarily. While often negative, a "conscious mistake" can sometimes be a calculated risk or a strategic compromise made with awareness of potential consequences.