deliberate mistakes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deliberate mistakes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to errors made intentionally, often for a specific purpose or effect. Example: "The author included deliberate mistakes in the text to challenge the readers' attention to detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Gunther, "The Wisdom of Deliberate Mistakes," Harvard Business Review 84, no.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But users were still discussing the article by using deliberate mistakes like "2.7b".

The New York Times

They may need to make deliberate mistakes to test the limits of their knowledge".

The New York Times

Now commenters, please feel free to correct all my deliberate mistakes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The students were fully aware of the recording and the video included deliberate mistakes as well as good practice.

The Guardian

Danczuk is smart enough not to state that he has concluded they are deliberate mistakes, but he puts the idea out there as one possible explanation.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Did I ever make a deliberate mistake, did I ever deliberately transform a negative into a positive?

The New York Times

So: do we treat this as a coincidence or a deliberate mistake, or just a mistake?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That decision became my Deliberate Mistake, and it was the best mistake I ever made.

The New York Times

Incidentally, as explained here, this was a deliberate mistake on behalf of the show's producers.

The Guardian - Sport

"This was a deliberate mistake," he said of the decision to invade.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deliberate mistakes" when you want to emphasize the intentional aspect of errors, often to achieve a specific outcome such as learning, innovation, or artistic effect.

Common error

Don't use "deliberate mistakes" to describe errors arising from carelessness or lack of knowledge. The phrase specifically implies intentionality, so ensure the context aligns with this meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deliberate mistakes" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As seen in Ludwig, it refers to errors made intentionally, sometimes for a specific purpose.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deliberate mistakes" denotes errors made intentionally for a specific purpose, often related to learning or experimentation. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It contrasts with unintentional errors and carries a neutral tone, fitting diverse contexts from news to academic discussions. Related terms include "intentional errors" and "purposeful errors", each highlighting a different facet of intentionality. Using "deliberate mistakes" effectively requires ensuring the context emphasizes the deliberate nature of the error and that it's not simply a case of negligence or ignorance. The phrase finds frequent use in news, media, and academic circles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intentional errors

This alternative focuses on the conscious decision to make an error.

intended errors

This focuses on the planned and wanted aspect of the mistake.

purposeful errors

This highlights the intended goal or aim behind making the mistake.

knowing errors

This alternative directly points to the awareness of making a mistake.

conscious errors

This stresses the deliberate awareness when the mistakes are made.

calculated errors

This suggests a strategic or planned approach to making mistakes.

errors of intent

This alternative underlines that the mistakes were planned with a specific intent.

strategic miscalculations

This implies that the mistakes were part of a broader plan or strategy.

errors by design

This highlights that mistakes are incorporated intentionally in the design or process.

premeditated blunders

This emphasizes the prior planning and consideration involved in making the mistake.

FAQs

What does "deliberate mistakes" mean?

The term "deliberate mistakes" refers to errors that are made intentionally, usually for a specific purpose, such as experimentation, learning, or to make a point.

How can I use "deliberate mistakes" in a sentence?

You might say, "The students were encouraged to make "deliberate mistakes" in their code to better understand the debugging process."

What are some alternatives to "deliberate mistakes"?

Alternatives include "intentional errors", "purposeful errors", or "calculated errors" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "deliberate mistakes"?

It is appropriate when the errors are intentionally made to explore boundaries, test assumptions, or provoke thought, rather than resulting from ignorance or negligence.