error was made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "error was made" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to acknowledge that a mistake occurred, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "In the report, it was noted that an error was made in the calculations, leading to incorrect conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"An error was made".

The New York Times

Here's how the error was made.

The New York Times

The error was made during the editing process.

The Guardian

No jeers rang out when an error was made.

The New York Times - Travel

The same error was made in Vietnam; just substitute "Communists" for "terrorists".

The New York Times

An error was made in charging Mr Gray an additional £88 when it shouldn't have been.

The Guardian - Money

No further runs or dismissals were possible … the game ended incorrectly and an error was made".

The Guardian - Sport

This was the first time in memory that such an error was made at the Olympics.

The New York Times - Sports

The same error was made with the "€3.59 per kWh" added to German energy bills.

The Guardian

"We regret that the error was made, but no one's security has been compromised," she said.

The New York Times

Russian officials announced that an error was made in 2007 when poker was added to the list of official sports.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, follow up the statement "error was made" with the steps taken to rectify the error and prevent future occurrences.

Common error

Avoid using "error was made" without specifying the error. Vague statements can create confusion and distrust. Be specific about what went wrong.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "error was made" functions as a passive construction used to acknowledge that a mistake happened. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is considered grammatically correct. It emphasizes the action (making the error) rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "error was made" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to acknowledge that a mistake occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most frequently used in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts, and maintains a generally neutral tone. When employing this phrase, it's best to be specific about the nature of the error and, where possible, provide context or explanation. While alternatives like "a mistake occurred" exist, "error was made" provides a clear and professional way to address inaccuracies or oversights. The phrase is often followed by rectification steps or preventive measures. Always ensure clarity to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mistake occurred

This alternative is a more direct and less formal way to state that an error happened.

an inaccuracy arose

This alternative is used in formal contexts, often when discussing data or information.

a blunder happened

This alternative uses a stronger term, 'blunder', to imply a more significant mistake.

a lapse occurred

This alternative indicates a temporary failure of judgment or concentration.

an oversight took place

This alternative suggests that the error was due to a failure to notice something important.

the mistake came to light

This alternative focuses on the discovery or revelation of the error.

the error surfaced

This alternative is a slightly more informal way of saying 'the mistake came to light'.

a fault was committed

This alternative implies a responsibility or blame associated with the error.

a screw-up happened

This alternative is a very informal way to state that an error happened.

the figures were incorrect

This alternative is used in context where numbers or amounts are wrong.

FAQs

How to use "error was made" in a sentence?

You can use "error was made" to acknowledge a mistake. For example, "An "error was made" during the data entry process, resulting in incorrect figures."

What can I say instead of "error was made"?

You can use alternatives like "a mistake occurred", "an oversight took place", or "a fault was committed depending on the context.

Which is correct, "error was made" or "mistake was done"?

"Error was made" is grammatically correct and commonly used. "Mistake was done" is less common and may sound awkward; it's better to say "a mistake was made" or "a mistake occurred".

What's the difference between "error was made" and "mistake was made"?

The phrases ""error was made"" and "mistake was made" are largely interchangeable. "Error" is slightly more formal than "mistake", but both are acceptable in most contexts.