error of history

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "error of history" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant mistake or misjudgment in the interpretation or understanding of historical events. Example: "The decision to ignore the warnings of the past was seen as an error of history that could have been avoided."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They've earned inclusion, if only by an error of history.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's just an error of history to say, if you're a nationalist, you can't be a citizen of the world," says Appiah bluntly.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I felt the ghosts of the past hanging over that conversation, and and I tried not to repeat the errors of history.'" You're a good writer, I say.

The Guardian

Subjects had no evidence of A, B, or C virus or autoimmune hepatitis; clinical signs or symptoms of inborn errors of metabolism; history of toxins or drugs known to induce hepatitis; or history or symptoms of any known disease, apart from diabetes.

Diabetes Care

This rather grand-sounding noun means 'one who has a passion for writing.' It is from a book by Peter Heylyn, a seventeenth-century English author whose Examen Historicum (1659) sought to debunk the errors made in recent works of history.

Huffington Post

A three-term mayor of America's largest city deserves a first-rate, error-free obituary, a draft of history that can be used perpetually when people research the events and realities that propelled him to office and kept him there for more than a decade.

Huffington Post

The scoreboard flashed hit, but the official scorer ruled it an error, keeping Clemente on the verge of history.

The New York Times - Sports

Any of the following excluded a subject from participation in the trial: evidence of any eye disease except refractive error, history of ocular trauma or intraocular surgery within the last 6 months, ocular inflammation or infection within the last 3 months, astigmatism more than +2.0 dioptres and ametropia of more than ±5.0 dioptres.

British Journal of Ophthalmology

By devoting her chronicle to correcting such errors, Armstrong has produced a work of history that while somewhat lacking in balance is engaging, provocative and often persuasive.

The New York Times - Books

Reports having major typographical errors, clinical history of breast cancer, cytological diagnosis of secondary breast diseases, and inconclusive breast cytology results were excluded from the study.

BMC Women's Health

(And in an echo to this weekend: Webber, the team's best player, committed perhaps the gravest mental error of the college game's history when he called a timeout that Michigan no longer had in the final seconds of the 1993 final against North Carolina. He'd just turned twenty).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "error of history", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific historical event or interpretation is being referred to. Be precise to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "error of history" to broadly criticize entire historical periods or movements. Instead, focus on specific decisions, actions, or interpretations that constitute the error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "error of history" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific instance of misjudgment or mistake pertaining to historical events or their understanding, supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "error of history" refers to a significant mistake or misjudgment in the understanding or interpretation of historical events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare in frequency, its primary contexts are News & Media and Science. When employing this phrase, clarity and specificity are key to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "historical mistake" or "misjudgment of the past" can be used depending on the intended nuance. Remember, understanding and learning from past "errors of history" are crucial to avoid repeating them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

historical mistake

Replaces "error" with a more direct synonym, simplifying the phrase.

historical blunder

Substitutes "error" with "blunder", implying a more significant and often embarrassing mistake.

misjudgment of the past

Rephrases the concept to focus on the act of misjudging historical events.

flawed interpretation of history

Highlights the incorrect understanding or interpretation of historical events.

distortion of history

Emphasizes the alteration or twisting of historical facts, often intentional.

historical inaccuracy

Focuses on the factual incorrectness of a historical account or understanding.

failure to learn from history

Shifts the focus to the consequences of not understanding or applying historical lessons.

misunderstanding of historical events

Highlights a lack of comprehension regarding specific occurrences in the past.

lapse in historical awareness

Suggests a temporary or specific instance of lacking historical knowledge or understanding.

wrong turn in historical understanding

Implies a deviation from a correct or accurate view of history.

FAQs

How can I use "error of history" in a sentence?

You can use "error of history" to describe a significant mistake or misjudgment in interpreting past events. For example: "Ignoring past economic indicators proved to be an "error of history" that led to the recession."

What's a good alternative to "error of history"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "historical mistake", "misjudgment of the past", or "flawed interpretation of history".

Is "error in history" grammatically correct instead of "error of history"?

While "error in history" isn't inherently wrong, ""error of history"" is more idiomatic and commonly used to refer to a mistake in understanding or interpreting historical events.

What is the difference between "error of history" and "lesson of history"?

"Error of history" refers to a mistake made in the past or a misinterpretation of it, whereas "lesson of history" is something learned from past events to avoid repeating similar mistakes.