error lies in

USAGE SUMMARY

"error lies in" is a valid phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to point out the source of a problem or mistake. For example: "The error lies in the fact that the paperwork was not properly filed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

As with the recent anti-abortion billboards that targeted African-Americans by alluding to racist roots in the birth-control movement, the error lies in importing the past wholesale into the present.

The New Yorker

Its methodological error lies in the fact that it over-estimates the epistemological value of our logical operations… But philosophy has no immediate influence on the great majority of mankind; it interests only a small number even of the thin upper stratum of intellectuals, while all the rest find it beyond them.

The New York Times

The scale of the problem is astonishing: a man-in-the-middle (MitM in cryptographic jargon) could commandeer any secure connection from a Wi-Fi network in a coffeeshop up to the infiltration of an entire country, as exploited by certain governments and their agents in the past.Apple's coding error lies in how a secure connection is verified for websites and other internet services.

The Economist

Results of this in silico study indicate that for all the patients, with 0% overshoot observed, the steady state error lies in between ��5.

Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology

The relative error lies in the range from 0 to (b−1)/2, where b is the exponent of the power function describing the rating curve.

Journal of Hydrology

In this line, one potential source of error lies in the estimation of the number of directional sectors whenever the required mapping information is inaccurate or unavailable.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

These responses suggest that the source of error lay in reporting rather than faulty design.

British Medical Journal

Sometimes the errors lie in the past: Monsegur had already been identified, though not for certain, by rival hackers who had combed the internet to find his previous postings (unearthing his past hacktivism for Puerto Rico, and his New York location, and even photos).

The Guardian - Tech

It is more likely, suggests Mr Suttle, that the errors lie in the emerging economies: the current-account deficits of Latin America or Eastern Europe may be smaller than reported, or Asia's surplus may be bigger.Our preferred explanation, however, is that the Martians have been dumping cheap exports in world markets.

The Economist

For the ultra-short term forecasting after error correction, most of forecasting errors lie in the interval of [−10 MW, 10 MW].

Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems

In addition, Figs. 10 and 11 show that most of forecasting errors lie in the interval of [−10 MW, 10 MW].

Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "error lies in", ensure that the subject of the sentence clearly identifies what contains the error. For example: "The error lies in the calculation method."

Common error

Avoid using a vague subject with "error lies in". Instead of "The error lies in something", specify what that "something" is. For example, clarify "The error lies in the data interpretation" instead of a general statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "error lies in" serves to identify the specific location or cause of a mistake. It functions as a linking phrase connecting the error to its source. Ludwig provides examples showcasing this function, indicating its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "error lies in" is used to specify the location or source of a mistake, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis. It's grammatically correct and frequently appears in both scientific and news contexts. To improve clarity, ensure the subject of your sentence is not vague, but clearly identifies what is at fault. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, remember to use it precisely to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the source of the error is

Directly identifies the origin from where the problem started.

the reason for the error is

Directly states the cause of the mistake.

the mistake resides in

Focuses on where the mistake is located, using a more formal term.

the flaw exists in

Points out a specific imperfection or defect causing the problem.

the fault is with

Highlights the responsible party or aspect where the error originates.

the problem stems from

Emphasizes the origin or root cause of the issue.

the root of the problem is

Highlights the fundamental cause of the problem.

the crux of the matter is

Indicates the most important point where the mistake is present.

the inadequacy stems from

Highlights that the issue is due to something being insufficient.

the deficiency is found in

Identifies a lack or weakness as the cause of the error.

FAQs

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

Use "error lies in" to pinpoint the specific location or cause of a mistake. For example, "The "error lies in" the initial assumption."

What's a formal alternative to "error lies in"?

A more formal alternative is "the source of the error is". For example, instead of "The "error lies in" the algorithm", you could say "The source of the error is the algorithm".

What can I say instead of "error lies in"?

You can use alternatives like "the "mistake resides in"", "the "fault is with"", or "the "problem stems from"", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "errors lie in"?

Yes, "errors lie in" is the plural form and is grammatically correct when referring to multiple errors. For instance, "The "errors lie in" the data entry process".