far-reaching mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far-reaching mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mistake that has significant consequences or impacts over a wide area or scope. Example: "The decision to cut funding for the program was a far-reaching mistake that affected many communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Richard Perez-PeNYT(NYT) CARTER BACKS GORE -- Former President Jimmy Carter endorsed Al Gore for president yesterday, saying it would be "a serious and far-reaching mistake" for fellow Democrats to turn away as some did from Hubert H. Humphrey in his 1968 loss to Richard M. Nixon.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

WASHINGTON — Far more than at any time before, the Federal Reserve is putting its vast resources and its reputation on the line to rescue Wall Street's biggest institutions from their far-reaching mistakes.

The New York Times

Thus, Shell was expected to cleanse somehow the putrid politics of Nigeria.Mr Herkstroter has talked about multinationals being dragged down by what he calls "a ghost in the system some sort of slight blurring that causes us to make subtle, but in the end far-reaching, mistakes in assessing developments".

The Economist

The second time he unhesitatingly said yes, portraying the company's recent stumbles more as learning opportunities than far-reaching mistakes.

HuffPost

In 1985 my family made a terrible mistake – a mistake that would have far-reaching consequences; a mistake that would blight my life for several painful years.

The Guardian - Tech

The meaning of blunder — probably rooted in the Old Swedish blundra, meaning "to have one's eyes closed" — has evolved to "a serious mistake, often with far-reaching consequences".

The New York Times - Magazine

The concept of waste is far-reaching and may include waiting, travel, mistakes, or inappropriate processing.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Though this individual mistake was small, it had far-reaching effects that were amplified by the systems put in place to protect data.

MIT Technology Review

"It's just too easy to make mistakes, and it's too far-reaching now," she said.

The New York Times

Other mistakes have had rather more far-reaching effects, notably spinach, which owes its reputation as an iron-packed superfood to an even bigger howler.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Odds are, employees within just about every organization make mistakes on the network that can have far-reaching consequences.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "far-reaching mistake", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the extensive consequences of the error. This adds weight and relevance to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "far-reaching mistake" for minor errors. The phrase implies significant and widespread consequences; using it inappropriately dilutes its impact and can make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far-reaching mistake" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "far-reaching" modifies the noun "mistake". It describes a specific type of error characterized by its extensive and significant consequences. As per Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "far-reaching mistake" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe an error with significant and widespread consequences. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly illustrates the broad impact of the mistake to justify its use. Alternatives such as "significant error" or "serious blunder" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant error

Focuses on the importance of error.

serious blunder

Emphasizes the gravity of the mistake.

major miscalculation

Highlights the flawed judgment in the mistake.

grave error with lasting impact

Explicitly mentions the lasting consequences.

critical oversight

Focuses on the negligence aspect of the mistake.

costly error

Highlights the negative cost of the mistake.

consequential lapse

Emphasizes the result of the error.

damaging misstep

Highlights the negative impact of the step taken in error.

ill-advised decision with broad consequences

Focuses on the decision-making aspect and its widespread effects.

monumental failure

Emphasizes the large scale of failure.

FAQs

How can I use "far-reaching mistake" in a sentence?

You can use "far-reaching mistake" to describe an error that has significant and widespread consequences, such as, "The decision to ignore climate change warnings was a "far-reaching mistake" that will affect future generations."

What are some alternatives to "far-reaching mistake"?

Alternatives include "significant error", "serious blunder", or "major miscalculation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "far-reaching mistake" a formal or informal expression?

"Far-reaching mistake" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but ensure your tone remains appropriate for the overall communication.

What makes a mistake "far-reaching"?

A mistake is considered "far-reaching" when its effects extend beyond the immediate situation, impacting various aspects or affecting a large number of people or areas.