grammatical error

USAGE SUMMARY

"grammatical error" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, "The teacher marked the student's paper and found several grammatical errors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There's a certain grammatical error.

The New York Times

IS there a grammatical error in the following sentence?

The New York Times

He had plagiarised it, word for word, grammatical error for grammatical error, from the comedian Davon Magwood's Twitter account.

The Guardian - Tech

That would be a grammatical error, wouldn't it?

The New York Times

So, this particular grammatical error is one of those things.

The New York Times

It came from the fact that the jingle allegedly contained a grammatical error.

The Guardian - Books

And I always feel like I'm about to make a terrible grammatical error".

The New Yorker

Did you spot, however, the literal or grammatical error in the invitation?

The Guardian

But that does not mean that "less" is a grammatical error.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Nonfluent/agrammatic variant PPA or PNFA is characterized by effortful speech and grammatical error-making, with relatively preserved language comprehension.

Acta Neuropathologica

Four of the papers include the same grammatical error the extraneous "had" in "our results had lacked sufficient statistical power".

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When proofreading, focus on identifying patterns of "grammatical errors" you commonly make. Addressing these patterns can significantly improve your overall writing quality.

Common error

Avoid overcorrecting or altering someone's writing style merely for the sake of grammatical perfection. Sometimes, deviations from strict grammar rules can add character or authenticity to the text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grammatical error" functions as a noun phrase identifying a mistake in grammar or syntax. Ludwig shows its usage across various contexts, demonstrating its primary function as a descriptor of a linguistic mistake.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

22%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grammatical error" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe a mistake in grammar or syntax. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, primarily serving to identify and categorize linguistic mistakes. While "grammatical error" is neutral in register, its discussion is more frequent in formal contexts. Related phrases such as "grammar mistake" or "linguistic error" offer similar meanings, while understanding common usage patterns and potential overcorrections can further refine your writing skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grammar mistake

Replaces "error" with the synonym "mistake", maintaining the same meaning.

grammar fault

Replaces "error" with "fault", indicating a defect in grammatical correctness.

grammar inaccuracy

Uses "inaccuracy" to highlight the lack of precision in grammar.

linguistic error

Substitutes "grammatical" with the broader term "linguistic", encompassing a wider range of language-related errors.

faulty grammar

Inverts the structure to describe grammar as being "faulty".

grammatical slip

Suggests a minor or unintentional error in grammar.

syntax error

Focuses specifically on errors in sentence structure, a subset of grammatical errors.

ungrammatical construction

Emphasizes the incorrect formation of a grammatical element.

language mistake

Uses "language" instead of "grammatical", widening the scope to any mistake in language usage.

solecism

Refers to a nonstandard or ungrammatical usage of language.

FAQs

How to identify a "grammatical error" in a sentence?

Look for discrepancies in subject-verb agreement, incorrect tense usage, misplaced modifiers, pronoun disagreements, and improper punctuation. Reading the sentence aloud can often help identify awkward phrasing or "grammatical errors".

What's the difference between a "grammatical error" and a typo?

A "grammatical error" involves a violation of grammatical rules, such as incorrect verb tense or subject-verb agreement. A typo, on the other hand, is a simple mistake in spelling or typing, which does not necessarily violate grammar rules.

What can I say instead of "grammatical error"?

You can use alternatives like "grammar mistake", "linguistic error", or "syntax error" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to correct every "grammatical error"?

While it's important to strive for grammatical correctness in formal writing, in informal contexts or creative writing, some "grammatical errors" may be acceptable or even intentional for stylistic effect.