due to user error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "due to user error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to explain that a mistake or issue occurred as a result of a user's actions or decisions. Example: "The system crashed, and we determined that it was due to user error when the settings were incorrectly configured."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

While I understand the value of the "You're holding it wrong" argument, in this case we are talking about damage to the phone itself due to user error.

TechCrunch

I am generally more interested in the dysfunctional processes that are set into motion in the makerspace: What happens when the provided technologies fail, either due to user error or mechanical malfunction?

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Data were lost in three observations due to user error.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The SMILI worked well in the clinical setting with loss of data in only three cases due to user error.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The commercial STarStation/STarBase SNP or MasterPlex GT V2.3 analysis softwares can be purchased respectively from Applied Cytometry® (Sheffield, UK) and MiraiBio® (San Francisco, USA); otherwise, genotypes must be called manually, which could incur substantial increases in time and in genotype errors due to user subjectivity and human error.

Plosone

The complete automation of the device including laser focusing allows the greatest resolution possible from experiment to experiment and reduces error due to user interactions.

EPJ Techniques and Instrumentation

I experienced some minor calibration issues but I will caulk it up to user error.

Huffington Post

Where traditional software is involved, deciding whether an error was due to a user mistake or a design flaw in the software is pretty straightforward.

TechCrunch

Tympanic membrane temperature is currently the most commonly used, non-invasive method of brain temperature estimation in the UK [ 7]; however, recent published data has raised concerns about its accuracy, the cause of which may be due to measurement error, user technique or 'true' temperature differences between the ears.

Critical Care

This scheme is applicable in situations where the scheduling unit fails in error in selecting the best user among the available users due to error in estimating the users' channels.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Moreover, the authors were unable to ascertain if the devices incidents occurred due to the device malfunction, user error or insufficient knowledge on their proper use, as well as the severity of device incidents.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "due to user error", be specific about the nature of the error to facilitate better understanding and prevention of future occurrences.

Common error

Avoid using "due to user error" as a catch-all explanation without investigating the root cause. A vague explanation doesn't help in preventing future incidents and can frustrate users.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "due to user error" functions as a causal explanation, indicating that a mistake or problem arose as a direct result of a user's action. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where the phrase is used to attribute issues to user-related causes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "due to user error" serves as a causal explanation, attributing a problem or mistake to actions taken by a user. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including scientific, news, and business domains. The phrase is best used when a direct and clear explanation is needed, but it's important to avoid overgeneralization and ensure thorough investigation before assigning blame. Alternatives like "caused by user mistake" or "resulting from user action" can soften the tone. While primarily neutral to professional in register, it's crucial to consider the context and avoid vagueness for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caused by user mistake

Replaces "error" with the more direct "mistake".

resulting from user action

Emphasizes the action taken by the user as the direct cause.

attributable to user intervention

More formal, highlighting the user's involvement led to the issue.

stemming from user input

Focuses on the input provided by the user as the origin of the problem.

a consequence of user operation

Highlights the operational aspect of the user's actions.

arising from user handling

Emphasizes how the user handled something.

because of operator fault

Uses "operator" instead of "user", and "fault" instead of "error".

through user negligence

Implies a degree of carelessness on the user's part.

owing to user's mistake

A more formal variation replacing "due to" with "owing to".

related to incorrect user procedure

Focuses on the user not following the correct procedure.

FAQs

How can I use "due to user error" in a sentence?

You can use "due to user error" to explain the cause of a mistake or failure. For example, "The system malfunctioned, which was later found to be "due to user error"."

What's a less accusatory way to say "due to user error"?

To soften the tone, consider phrases like "resulting from user action" or "related to user input". These alternatives focus on the action rather than assigning blame. Using "unintended consequence" can be a good alternative.

Is it always appropriate to attribute a problem to "due to user error"?

No, it's essential to ensure a thorough investigation before attributing an issue to "due to user error". It's crucial to rule out other potential causes, such as system bugs or unclear instructions. Make sure that the user had all the information needed to accomplish the goal before blaming the incident on user error.

What are some phrases similar to "due to user error"?

Alternatives include "caused by user mistake", "resulting from user action", or "attributable to user intervention", which offer slight variations in tone and emphasis.