errors were made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "errors were made" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one acknowledges that mistakes occurred, often in a formal or passive manner. Example: "In the report, it was stated that errors were made during the data collection process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Yes, accounting errors were made.

The New Yorker

But the errors were made when he was chancellor.

The Guardian - Business

WHAT sorts of errors were made in 2001?

The New York Times

But he readily acknowledged that errors were made.

The Guardian - Sport

"Errors were made," said Lt. Col. David Lapan, a Pentagon spokesman.

The New York Times

This investigates whether errors were made and if secrets are still being kept.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In May an internal investigation at Nine said "inexcusable errors" were made in pursuing the story.

The Guardian

The staff is also looking into whether any procedural errors were made in the rules' adoption.

The New York Times

Yes, errors were made at the BBC, as the corporation has itself acknowledged.

The Guardian

However, these areas gradually became less active before errors were made.

The Economist

The ethical errors were made by a startling array of public health luminaries.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "errors were made" when you want to acknowledge a mistake without necessarily assigning blame. It is often used in formal reports or statements.

Common error

While "errors were made" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can sound evasive. Sometimes, directly stating who made the errors and why can build more trust with your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "errors were made" functions as a statement acknowledging that mistakes occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate for formal acknowledgment. It employs a passive construction, distancing the subject from direct responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "errors were made" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to acknowledge the occurrence of mistakes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with science and encyclopedias also contributing significantly to its usage. While alternatives such as "mistakes occurred" and "mistakes were committed" exist, "errors were made" often serves as a formal and neutral way to introduce discussions about failures without assigning direct blame. It's important to be mindful of the potential for overuse and consider whether a more direct and transparent statement would be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mistakes occurred

Emphasizes the simple occurrence of mistakes without specifying the nature or impact of the errors.

mistakes were committed

Implies a slightly stronger sense of responsibility or agency behind the mistakes.

faults were found

Highlights the discovery of faults or defects, often in a system or process.

inaccuracies were present

Focuses on the presence of factual errors or lack of precision.

oversights took place

Suggests that the errors resulted from a failure to notice or consider something important.

blunders transpired

Highlights significant and often embarrassing mistakes.

lapses occurred

Emphasizes temporary failures in judgment or attention.

there were miscalculations

Specifically points to errors in calculation or estimation.

deficiencies existed

Indicates that there were shortcomings or inadequacies in a system or performance.

shortcomings arose

Focuses on the appearance or emergence of limitations or faults.

FAQs

How can I use "errors were made" in a sentence?

You can use "errors were made" to acknowledge that mistakes happened. For example: "The investigation revealed that "errors were made" during the initial data collection phase".

What's a more direct alternative to "errors were made"?

Instead of saying ""errors were made"", you could say "mistakes occurred", "we made mistakes", or "the team made errors", depending on the context and desired level of directness.

Is it better to say "mistakes were made" or "errors were made"?

Both "mistakes were made" and ""errors were made"" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific context and tone you want to convey. "Errors" can sound more formal or technical.

Why is the passive voice often used with "errors were made"?

The passive voice in ""errors were made"" allows you to acknowledge a mistake without directly assigning blame or identifying the person responsible. This can be useful in formal or sensitive situations.