erred

USAGE SUMMARY

"erred" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is the past tense of the verb "err", which means "to make a mistake, or to do something wrong". Example: He erred when he incorrectly filled out the form, resulting in a delay in processing his application.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So far, the RBA has generally erred on the side of fighting rising house prices first, leaving the sluggish economy and worryingly high level of unemployment largely to run its course.

The Guardian

I erred by not contesting the label "tax" for the fixed price period of the emissions trading scheme I introduced.

The Guardian

A graphic panel outlining key facts about tar sands in Canada, published alongside a related report (The oil made some people rich – but it poisoned the river and spoilt the land, 29 May, page 22), erred in saying they were located "in the state of Alberta".

The Guardian

"We would argue with the floodplain definition accepted by PAC … that it erred in accepting definition without strong grounds.

The Guardian

Masipa also erred in overemphasising the purpose of rehabilitation and reformation at the cost of retribution, the prosecutors contend".We will argue that the sentence is inappropriate and shockingly light for someone that killed an innocent person with gross negligence where his conduct bordered on dolus eventualis".

The Guardian

Undeniably inventive, his work has sometimes erred on the side of the self-indulgent.

The Guardian - Arts

And which would serve to distract from the debate that we should be having, which is the extent to which Fifa erred in February by blocking attempts to bring forward in game trials of video technology.

The Guardian - Sport

An exception would be made if the national court had "manifestly erred" or if the case raised a serious question of interpretation.

The Guardian

The paper said China's political culture may explain why its government "erred on the side of caution" in stating its objective of peaking emissions around 2030.

The Guardian

But with consumer spending still weak, the Reserve Bank of Australia erred on the side of caution and kept interest rates on hold at a record low of 2%.Petrobras returned to international capital markets for the first time in more than a year by issuing a 100-year bond in dollars.

The Economist

Mr Clegg, who has for months now been wearing the mask of nobility in pain briefly perfected by Mr Portillo, protests that Lib Dem canvassing returns suggest he is safe, and that the pollsters erred in failing to attach his name to the electoral choice in Sheffield Hallam.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "erred", ensure the subject and verb tense align to clearly indicate who made the mistake and when it occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "erred" in contexts that require present tense; instead, use "err" or "is erring" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "erred" is as a verb in the past tense. It describes an action that occurred in the past where someone or something made a mistake. Ludwig's examples show it used in various contexts to indicate past errors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "erred" is a grammatically correct and commonly used past tense verb that signifies having made a mistake. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts, indicating its suitability for professional and neutral communication. While alternatives like "made a mistake" or "was mistaken" exist, "erred" provides a direct and concise way to express that an error occurred in the past. When using "erred", ensure proper tense alignment and avoid confusing it with present tense forms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made a mistake

Focuses on the action of making a mistake, emphasizing the human element.

was mistaken

Emphasizes the state of being incorrect, rather than the act of making an error.

was incorrect

Highlights the factual inaccuracy of something.

miscalculated

Specifically refers to errors in calculation or planning.

blundered

Implies a clumsy or careless mistake.

slipped up

Suggests a minor or unintentional mistake.

stumbled

Implies a loss of balance or a figurative misstep.

went wrong

Focuses on the outcome of an action that deviated from the intended path.

took the wrong turn

Suggests deviating from a correct path or decision-making process.

messed up

Informal way of saying something was done incorrectly or poorly.

FAQs

How do I use "erred" in a sentence?

"Erred" is the past tense of "err", meaning to have made a mistake. For example: "The company "erred" in its financial projections."

What can I say instead of "erred"?

You can use alternatives like "made a mistake", "was mistaken", or "was incorrect" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "has erred" or "had erred"?

Both are correct. "Has erred" is present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. "Had erred" is past perfect tense, indicating an action completed before another point in the past.

What's the difference between "erred" and "sinned"?

While both imply wrongdoing, ""erred"" generally refers to making a mistake, while "sinned" implies a moral or religious transgression. The choice depends on the specific context.