egregious error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "egregious error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mistake that is remarkably bad or shocking. Example: "The accountant made an egregious error in the financial report, leading to significant losses for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is an egregious error.

The Guardian

This would be an egregious error.

The New York Times

This egregious error clearly violated Mr. Buck's constitutional rights.

The New York Times

History will judge the decision as an egregious error.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course, forecasts based on a theory of mind are subject to egregious error.

The New York Times

Woods rarely makes the egregious error, especially in majors when he is holding the lead.

The New York Times - Sports

I immediately wondered: what is the origin of boo-boo, "blunder, egregious error"?

The New York Times - Magazine

"It is clear that SSG Beck exhibited an egregious error in judgment," the investigating officer summarizes.

The New York Times - Magazine

It took an egregious error to call it into question in Duane Buck's case.

The New York Times

Dr. Wiesner's failure to distinguish between U.S. "statements" and Soviet "action" constitutes an egregious error.

The New York Times

Probably the most common and egregious error that I have seen is the "drop starting" of chainsaws.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "egregious error" when you want to emphasize the severity and shocking nature of a mistake. It is appropriate for formal and serious contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "egregious error" in casual or informal conversations, as it can sound overly formal and pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "big mistake" or "major blunder".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "egregious error" functions as a noun phrase, where "egregious" modifies the noun "error". It is used to describe a mistake that is remarkably bad or shocking. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "egregious error" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a mistake that is remarkably bad or shocking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it frequently appears in formal contexts such as News & Media, Academia and Science, highlighting its use in serious and professional communications. While its formality may make it unsuitable for casual conversations, it is a powerful term for emphasizing the severity of a mistake. Consider alternatives like "blatant mistake", "serious blunder", or "glaring oversight" for varying degrees of emphasis and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blatant mistake

Focuses on the obvious and undeniable nature of the error.

serious blunder

Emphasizes the clumsiness and significance of the error.

glaring oversight

Highlights the conspicuous nature of the error as something easily missed.

flagrant violation

Emphasizes the deliberate disregard of rules or standards.

terrible mistake

Focuses on the severe consequences of the error.

atrocious blunder

Highlights the shocking and appalling nature of the mistake.

horrendous slip-up

Emphasizes the accidental and disastrous nature of the error.

grave miscalculation

Focuses on the flawed reasoning that led to the error.

monumental screw-up

Indicates the large scale and impact of the error.

critical failure

Emphasizes the importance and negative outcome of the mistake.

FAQs

How to use "egregious error" in a sentence?

You can use "egregious error" to describe a mistake that is remarkably bad or shocking, as in "The company made an "egregious error" in its financial reporting".

What can I say instead of "egregious error"?

You can use alternatives like "blatant mistake", "serious blunder", or "glaring oversight depending on the specific context.

Is "egregious error" formal or informal?

"Egregious error" is generally considered a formal phrase. In informal contexts, simpler terms like "big mistake" or "major slip-up" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "egregious error" and "minor mistake"?

"Egregious error" implies a severe and shocking mistake, whereas "minor mistake" refers to a small and insignificant error. The term you choose should reflect the gravity of the situation.