deliberate error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deliberate error" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe an intentional mistake. For example, "The student made a deliberate error on the exam, knowing it would give them the answer to a later question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Nobody is accusing Congressional estimators of deliberate error.

The New York Times

Most attacks disrupt the normal pattern of system calls, typically by causing a deliberate error such as a buffer overflow.

The Economist

Note the "taken of his buttons off", a deliberate error, to add to the stylised speech; it refers to the ceremony of military degradation, where the man to be executed is formally stripped of any marks of rank, such as his stripes, or of significant parts of his uniform – the buttons bore the regimental crest.

Wikipedia

This is a deliberate error that was published to show that a satisfactory Rietveld refinement is not always proof of a correct structure.

Acta Crystallographica Section B: Structural Science, Crystal Engineering and Materials

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

HMRC has been legally able in cases involving tax of more than £25,000 to publish the names of people who have received penalties for deliberate errors in their tax returns or for deliberately failing to comply with their tax obligations, since April 2010 – but this is the first time it has used the powers.

The Guardian - Business

"The bishops still don't admit that they made serious, deliberate errors that were the result of the way they do things".

The New York Times

Eight badminton players at the London 2012 Olympic Games have been charged with trying to throw their matches after a spectacle during which spectators booed teams for apparently deliberate errors.

The Guardian - Sport

Even though removing the deliberate errors from G.P.S. theoretically makes the system 10 times as accurate, drivers using G.P.S. navigation systems should not expect to see that much improvement.

The New York Times - Tech

"These whimsical ideas comprise deliberate errors of cognition, that is to say, errors in the way we normally structure our thoughts, leading to the suspicion that Barrie was deliberately exploring the nature of cognition in these stories," writes Ridley in the book, newly out from Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

The Guardian - Books

Match referee Thorsten Berg came on court at one point to warn the players, who also appeared to make deliberate errors.

BBC

A judge has recommended that Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria, 25, be fined 1,500 euros for suggesting that Spanish referees were making "deliberate" errors in favour of opposing teams.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deliberate error", ensure the context clearly indicates the intention behind the mistake. Avoid ambiguity by providing explicit details about why the error was made on purpose.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "deliberate error" is always malicious. Sometimes, errors are intentionally introduced for testing, artistic expression, or to demonstrate a point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deliberate error" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "deliberate" modifies the noun "error", specifying the nature of the error as intentional. Ludwig AI confirms its usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deliberate error" is grammatically correct and describes an intentional mistake. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is standard. It's a relatively rare phrase, appearing mostly in news and media, Wiki and scientific contexts. Related phrases include "intentional mistake" and "purposeful mistake". When using "deliberate error", it's important to provide context to clarify the motive behind the intentional mistake. Understanding the motive prevents the mistake of assuming malicious intention. Top sources include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intentional mistake

Focuses on the intent behind the error.

purposeful mistake

Highlights the error was carried out with a specific purpose.

calculated error

Emphasizes the planning or calculation involved in making the error.

willful mistake

Suggests a stubborn or determined intent behind the error.

conscious mistake

Highlights that the error was made with full awareness.

intended error

Focuses on the error as the desired outcome.

premeditated error

Stresses the prior planning involved.

voluntary error

Indicates the error was made by choice.

orchestrated error

Suggests a complex or coordinated plan behind the mistake.

contrived error

Implies the error was artificially created or manipulated.

FAQs

How to use "deliberate error" in a sentence?

You can use "deliberate error" to describe an intentional mistake. For example, "The programmer introduced a "deliberate error" into the code to test the debugging system."

What's the difference between "deliberate error" and "mistake"?

"Mistake" generally implies an unintentional action, while ""deliberate error"" refers to an error that was intentionally committed.

What can I say instead of "deliberate error"?

Alternatives include "intentional mistake", "purposeful mistake", or "calculated error", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "deliberate error" a negative term?

Not necessarily. The connotation depends on the context. A ""deliberate error"" could be part of a test, a learning exercise, or even an artistic choice. However, it can also imply malicious intent.