erratum

USAGE SUMMARY

"erratum" is a valid word and it is used in written English.
It is a noun which refers to a mistake that was made in a printed document. Example: In the latest edition of the textbook, an erratum was included correcting a calculation error that was made in the previous edition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The IPCC has indicated it will produce an erratum for this, and for a number of other errors all concerned deemed minor.

The Economist

As a curious example of how refinement may sometimes defeat accuracy, in spite of human entropy, we point to the neat little slip of paper the English publishers of the book had to insert between pages 264-65 "Erratum.

The New Yorker

Asked why he did not just publish an erratum, Dr. Perls said in an e-mail that he could not comment because "I just don't want to do anything that could jeopardize the current review of the corrected paper".

The New York Times - Science

Scientists often find that there are errors in published reports, and unless the errors are fatal, they simply ask the journal to publish an erratum.

The New York Times - Science

The paper remains without so much as an erratum, and none of its authors – many of whom are educators and prominent members of their respective professional societies – have been disciplined".

The Guardian

He asked Cape to insert an erratum slip in the first edition changing the character's name to Goldprick, a name suggested by the critic Cyril Connolly.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

In 1798 she presented to the Royal Society an Index to Flamsteed's observations, together with a catalog of 560 stars omitted from the British Catalogue and a list of the errata in that publication.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thus, the fumblings of a Dutchman who knew little English (in fact, his errata) were poured into Cawdrey's word list.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That doesn't sound like much to an American raised on boxers-or-briefs political errata, but it's easy to overlook a basic fact about the people who run the world's second-largest economy: the people they rule know less about them than the average subscriber to the Times living in Armonk.

The New Yorker

Smith explained that, after Adelson sued, Barricade inserted an errata sheet into unsold copies of the book, correcting errors that had led to the lawsuit.

The New Yorker

It explains things like half titles; CIP (Cataloguing-in-Publication) data; bound-in errata pages; and the distinctions between perfect, notch, and burst bindings — matters of no relevance to the average term-paper writer.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "erratum" when you need a formal term to refer to a specific error in a printed work, especially in academic or professional contexts.

Common error

While both refer to mistakes, "erratum" specifically denotes a formal correction to a published work. Avoid using "error" when you need the precision of acknowledging a published mistake.

Linguistic Context

The noun "erratum" functions as a formal designation for an error found in published material. According to Ludwig, it signifies the publisher's or author's acknowledgment of a mistake requiring correction. The examples showcase it in contexts involving scientific reports, books, and official documents.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "erratum" is a noun denoting a formal correction to a published work. It is grammatically correct and used in formal contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While "erratum" itself is uncommon, it is important to acknowledge printed mistakes, by using words like "corrigendum", "typographical error" or "printing mistake". The best practice is to employ "erratum" when precision is needed in acknowledging published mistakes, distinguishing it from the broader term "error". Ludwig's analysis confirms that "erratum" is a valid term primarily found in authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

corrigendum

A formal term, similar to erratum, used to denote a correction.

typographical error

Specifically refers to errors in typing or printing.

printing mistake

Focuses on errors that occur during the printing process.

correction slip

Highlights the physical slip of paper used to correct errors in a book.

errata sheet

Refers to a list of corrections, often included at the end of a document.

acknowledgment of error

More formal and explicitly states the recognition of a mistake.

retraction

Indicates a complete withdrawal of a statement or publication due to errors.

amendment

Suggests a formal change or addition to correct or improve something.

rectification

Emphasizes the act of making something right or correcting an error.

revised edition

Indicates that errors have been corrected in a new version of the publication.

FAQs

How to use "erratum" in a sentence?

You can use "erratum" in a sentence like this: "The publisher issued an "erratum" to correct the factual inaccuracies in the book."

What's the plural form of "erratum"?

The plural form of "erratum" is "errata".

What can I say instead of "erratum"?

You can use alternatives like "typographical error", "printing mistake", or "correction slip" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to publish an "erratum"?

An "erratum" is typically published when a significant error is discovered in a published work that could mislead readers or affect the integrity of the information.