genuine error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "genuine error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mistake that was made honestly and without intent to deceive. Example: "The report contained a genuine error that was quickly rectified once it was brought to our attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

This, it says, was due to "genuine error".

The Guardian - Money

Yet one of them concerned a genuine error that cost a man his life.

The New Yorker

We can confirm that this was a one-off, genuine error.

The Guardian

"For the equilibrium of the world financial system, this was a genuine error," Christine Lagarde, France's finance minister, said recently.

The New York Times

Mr. Deane said: "There was a genuine error on my part, but it wasn't as grievous as people said.

The New York Times - Books

"I am confident this was a genuine error of judgment and that he understands the offence his comment has caused.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Were they genuine errors or was something more deliberate going on?

The New York Times

The 50s and 60s produced a series of gems from managers who actually tried to speak English and whose mistakes were genuine errors that generated humour of which they were not aware.

The Guardian - Sport

Say in the instance of the MPs' expenses, the MP, going to court because he has been notified in advance, might say, "there were genuine errors and I've sorted them out, it cannot be in the public interest to publish".

The Guardian - Opinion

What the release described as "a clear and timely procedure for evaluating and correcting genuine errors" was detailed in premeeting draft documents that envisioned an internal tracking system to allow errors to be reported by the public and evaluated up and down the chain of command.

Science Magazine

A smaller number of FPs was found to correspond to genuine errors made by our system.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "genuine error", ensure the context clearly indicates the mistake was unintentional and not due to negligence or malicious intent. This reinforces credibility and transparency.

Common error

Avoid using "genuine error" as a blanket excuse to evade responsibility for mistakes that stem from poor training, inadequate processes, or systemic issues. It should only apply to truly unintentional and isolated incidents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "genuine error" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "genuine" modifies the noun "error". Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "genuine error" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe an unintentional mistake. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate across various contexts, especially in news reporting and scientific explanations. The phrase indicates transparency and lack of intent to deceive, and apologizing even for a "genuine error" shows accountability and maintains trust. To convey similar meaning, consider synonyms like "honest mistake" or "true mistake".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

honest mistake

Replaces "error" with "mistake" and "genuine" with "honest", emphasizing the lack of deceit.

true mistake

Substitutes "genuine" with "true" for a more emphatic affirmation of the mistake's authenticity.

bona fide error

Replaces "genuine" with "bona fide", a more formal way to indicate authenticity.

unintentional mistake

Focuses on the lack of intent behind the mistake, replacing "genuine" with "unintentional".

inadvertent error

Replaces "genuine" with "inadvertent", highlighting that the error was not deliberate.

authentic mistake

Synonymous substitution, swapping "genuine" with "authentic" for similar connotation.

legitimate mistake

Emphasizes the validity and lack of malicious intent behind the error.

unfeigned error

Replaces "genuine" with "unfeigned", a more formal way to emphasize sincerity.

veritable mistake

Uses "veritable" instead of "genuine" to underscore the truthfulness of the mistake.

honest slip-up

Replaces "error" with the more informal "slip-up", while maintaining the sense of honesty.

FAQs

How can I use "genuine error" in a sentence?

"Genuine error" is typically used to describe a mistake that was made unintentionally. For example, "The miscalculation was a "genuine error", not an attempt to mislead."

What's the difference between "genuine error" and "deliberate mistake"?

"Genuine error" implies that the mistake was unintentional and honest, whereas "deliberate mistake" indicates a conscious and intentional action.

What are some synonyms for "genuine error"?

Some alternatives to "genuine error" include "honest mistake", "true mistake", and "unintentional error". You can also consider phrases like "inadvertent error" or "bona fide error".

Is it appropriate to apologize after a "genuine error"?

Yes, apologizing after a "genuine error" demonstrates accountability and helps maintain trust, even if the mistake was unintentional.