error by

USAGE SUMMARY

"error by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used when describing a mistake or fault made by someone or something. Example: The error by the accountant resulted in incorrect financial statements being submitted to the board.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

— ZACH SCHONBRUN Bad error by Teixeira.

The New York Times

Second error by the Yankees already.

The New York Times

90+3 min: Error by Juan!

The Guardian - Sport

"So it was an error by omission, I guess".

The Guardian - Books

Fred Lewis reached on an error by Easley.

The New York Times - Sports

But Shorty showed him his error by playing perfectly.

The New York Times

So he compounded the error by going on the attack.

The Guardian

The Gore lawyers emphasized the possibilities for error by voters.

The New York Times

Maybe an error by a usually sure-handed infielder.

The New York Times

If anything, Mr. Obama's opponents can claim error by omission.

The New York Times

But they made a crucial error by excising its history.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "error by", ensure that the responsible party is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "error by the accounting department" rather than just "error".

Common error

Avoid using "error by" without specifying who or what made the error. A sentence like "The project was delayed due to an error by someone" lacks clarity. Instead, provide specifics: "The project was delayed due to an error by the project manager".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "error by" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to indicate the cause or source of the error. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is frequently used to attribute a mistake or fault to a specific person, group, or entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "error by" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to attribute responsibility for a mistake or fault. As Ludwig AI's analysis highlights, it frequently appears in news, sports, and science contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key; make sure to specify who or what committed the error to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "mistake made by" or "oversight on the part of" exist, "error by" remains a versatile choice suitable for both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mistake made by

Replaces "error" with the more common synonym "mistake" while maintaining the attribution.

fault committed by

Substitutes "error" with "fault" and "by" with "committed by", emphasizing responsibility.

oversight on the part of

Replaces "error" with "oversight" and restructures the attribution for a more formal tone.

lapse in judgment by

Focuses on the decision-making aspect of the error, implying a temporary failure.

blunder attributed to

Uses "blunder" to emphasize a significant mistake and rephrases the attribution.

inaccuracy caused by

Highlights the incorrectness resulting from the error and uses "caused by" to show causation.

deficiency stemming from

Indicates that the error is a lack of something, using "stemming from" to link the cause.

failure on the part of

Emphasizes the lack of success or proper execution leading to the error.

slip-up credited to

Uses a more informal term, "slip-up", and rephrases the attribution with "credited to".

miscalculation resulting from

Focuses on the incorrect calculation aspect and uses "resulting from" to show consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "error by" in a sentence?

You can use "error by" to attribute a mistake to someone or something. For example, "The delay was caused by an "error by the shipping company"".

What are some alternatives to "error by"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "mistake made by", "fault committed by", or "oversight on the part of".

Is it better to say "error by" or "mistake by"?

"Error" and "mistake" are often interchangeable, but "error" can sound more formal. "Mistake by" is generally more common in everyday conversation.

Can "error by" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "error by" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when precision is needed. However, consider the specific context and whether a more formal alternative like "oversight on the part of" might be more suitable.