gravest errors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gravest errors" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the most serious or significant mistakes in a particular context. Example: "The report highlighted the gravest errors made during the project, which ultimately led to its failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The failure to seize that moment was one of the Obama administration's gravest errors.

The New York Times

One of the gravest errors a doctor in training can make is to inform the attending physician well after the fact about a patient's turn for the worse.

The New York Times

"It is a question of one of the gravest errors of decision in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany," Hans-Werner Sinn, the president of the Ifo Institute in Munich and a prominent economist, told the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

The New York Times

It's also true that one of the Clinton campaign's gravest errors was to erect a candidacy based entirely on an obsession with the affluent professional class, which thrives and survives in any and all presidencies.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The gravest error, perhaps, was underestimating the risk of tsunamis.

The New Yorker

American intelligence officials have privately described this strategy as the "gravest error of the war".

The Guardian

And then, of course, there is that Sun editorial, which is headlined "We are sorry for our gravest error".

The Guardian

He was overwhelmed and wrote to Proust, apologising for the rejection, calling it "the gravest error" and "one of the most burning regrets, remorses, of my life".

The Guardian - Books

Johnson insists the events in Queenstown have been distorted by misinformation and that his gravest error was his handling of the aftermath.

The Guardian - Sport

The election of Donald J. Trump looks very likely to go down as America's greatest (hopefully not gravest) error ever.

Huffington Post

Many bigots just throw their inferior gay out, and Morgan's gravest error may well have been in directing his hypothetical hate crime at his own son.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gravest errors", ensure the context warrants the strong emphasis on severity. Reserve it for situations where the mistakes had significant, far-reaching consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "gravest errors" in contexts where the mistakes are minor or easily rectified. Using such strong language for trivial issues can diminish its impact when describing truly serious errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gravest errors" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "gravest" modifies the noun "errors". It is used to describe mistakes of the highest degree of seriousness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is valid and applicable in English writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gravest errors" is used to describe mistakes with extremely serious consequences. Ludwig AI indicates that this expression is valid and applicable in English writing. While the phrase is grammatically correct, it is relatively rare, appearing mainly in news and media contexts. When using "gravest errors", make sure the situation warrants such a strong emphasis on severity, reserving it for situations with significant and far-reaching outcomes. Remember to consider alternatives like "most serious mistakes" or "critical lapses" to ensure the appropriate level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most serious mistakes

Replaces "gravest" with "most serious", focusing on the high degree of severity.

most critical errors

Substitutes "gravest" with "most critical", highlighting the potentially decisive impact of the mistakes.

egregious mistakes

Uses "egregious" to describe errors that are conspicuously bad or offensive.

serious missteps

Emphasizes the flawed actions or decisions taken, leading to negative consequences.

major miscalculations

Highlights the incorrect assessments or estimations that resulted in significant errors.

severe faults

Uses "severe" to describe the intensity and "faults" as an alternative to errors.

critical lapses

Focuses on the temporary failures in judgment or attention that led to significant problems.

major blunders

Replaces "gravest errors" with a more informal term suggesting significant misjudgments.

biggest oversights

Emphasizes the neglectful aspect of the errors, focusing on what was missed.

fatal flaws

Implies that the errors are so severe they could lead to failure or ruin.

FAQs

How can I use "gravest errors" in a sentence?

"Gravest errors" is used to describe mistakes that have significant and severe consequences. For example: "The investigation revealed the "gravest errors" made during the project's planning phase".

What are some alternatives to using "gravest errors"?

Alternatives include "most serious mistakes", "critical lapses", or "major miscalculations", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "gravest errors"?

Use "gravest errors" when you want to emphasize that the mistakes in question are exceptionally serious and have had, or will have, significant negative outcomes. This is not a phrase for minor or inconsequential mistakes.

What is the difference between "serious errors" and "gravest errors"?

While both phrases describe mistakes, "gravest errors" implies a much higher degree of severity and impact compared to "serious errors". "Gravest" suggests that the consequences of these errors are extremely dire.