fixed a mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fixed a mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of correcting an error or oversight in a document, project, or situation. Example: "After reviewing the report, I realized I had fixed a mistake in the calculations that affected the final results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Census Bureau has fixed a mistake in its counting of city residents, adding 2,500 residents to the population total and making Hartford the state's second-largest city.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In general, Mr. White says, you improve your brand by fixing a mistake and turning a bad situation into good.

The New York Times

"When you can fix a mistake, that's when you know you're good," his mother had told him.

The New Yorker

Mary Phillians, 56, a prison nurse for the state, was making her fourth trip to the I.R.S. office to try to fix a mistake she made when submitting her taxes earlier this year.

The New York Times

Rick took the opportunity to fix a mistake he had made in the original book.

Vice

Another try at a relationship or fixing a mistake we made.

Huffington Post

They wanted to make it easy for us to fix a mistake we've made.

Huffington Post

Would you rather learn from and fix a mistake or live with regret?

Huffington Post

A high schooler tries to fix a mistake after his guidance counselor sends the wrong papers to Stanford University.

Los Angeles Times

Multiple times I ripped out rows and reknit them in order to fix a mistake with one stitch that might throw off the pattern.

Huffington Post

The World Series umpiring crew had the chance to fix a mistake made by second base umpire Dana DeMuth early in Game 1. Unfortunately for the St . Louis Cardinals no one could undo the error committed by shortstop Pete Kozma on the same play.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fixed a mistake" in writing, ensure the context clearly identifies what the mistake was and how it was corrected to provide clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "fixed a mistake" when the correction was trivial or inconsequential; reserve it for situations where the error had a noticeable impact or potential consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fixed a mistake" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of correcting an error. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. It's straightforward and easily understood.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fixed a mistake" is a common and readily understandable way to describe the act of correcting an error. Ludwig confirms its validity, noting its suitability for various contexts. While simple, it's essential to use it judiciously, reserving it for corrections of meaningful errors. Alternatives like "corrected an error" or "rectified a blunder" can add nuance depending on the context. Remember to clearly indicate both the mistake and its resolution for maximum clarity. Its register is neutral, spanning from news reports to how-to guides, though its usage is particularly frequent in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

corrected an error

Replaces "mistake" with "error" and "fixed" with "corrected", offering a more formal tone.

put right an error

Uses a more British English phrasing, emphasizing the act of setting something correct.

rectified a blunder

Substitutes "fixed" with "rectified" and "mistake" with "blunder", implying a more significant error was corrected.

remedied an oversight

Uses "remedied" instead of "fixed" and "oversight" in place of "mistake", suggesting a neglectful error that was corrected.

amended an inaccuracy

Replaces "fixed" with "amended" and "mistake" with "inaccuracy", suitable for formal contexts like reports or documents.

resolved a defect

Implies a more technical or systematic fault that was resolved, differing slightly in scope from a general "mistake".

undid an error

Highlights the act of reversing or cancelling an error that has been made.

ironed out a wrinkle

Uses idiomatic language to suggest smoothing out a small problem or complication.

cleared up an ambiguity

Focuses on resolving confusion or lack of clarity rather than a direct error.

sorted out a problem

Indicates resolving an issue, which may or may not be a simple mistake, but a more complex situation.

FAQs

How can I use "fixed a mistake" in a sentence?

You can use "fixed a mistake" to describe correcting an error. For example, "After reviewing the data, I "fixed a mistake" in the calculations."

What are some alternatives to saying "fixed a mistake"?

Alternatives include "corrected an error", "rectified a blunder", or "remedied an oversight", depending on the context and formality.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state that you "fixed a mistake"?

No, sometimes it's better to simply present the corrected information without drawing attention to the error, especially if the mistake was minor and doesn't impact the overall understanding.

What's the difference between "fixed a mistake" and "prevented a mistake"?

"Fixed a mistake" refers to correcting an error that has already occurred, while "prevented a mistake" implies taking action to stop an error from happening in the first place. They address different stages of error management.