great mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant error or misjudgment in various contexts. Example: "Not addressing the issue sooner was a great mistake that cost us valuable time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a great mistake.

The Guardian

Have a Great Mistake to share?

The New Yorker

The great mistake is to bluff.

The Guardian

That would be a great, great mistake.

The New York Times

But still it was a great mistake.

The New York Times

He's very smart, but he made this great mistake.

The New Yorker

Mr. Montross said: "The Senate has made a great mistake.

The New York Times

"Obviously, he made a great mistake," Vogel said.

The New York Times - Sports

The 'failure' of the 'reset:' Obama's great mistake?

The Washington Post

Sudanese intelligence believed this to be a great mistake.

The Guardian

... We feel the President's de cision was a great mistake.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great mistake" to clearly convey a significant error or misjudgment, particularly when emphasizing the negative consequences or impact of the error.

Common error

Avoid using "great mistake" for trivial errors. Reserve it for situations where the mistake has substantial repercussions or signifies a significant failure in judgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great mistake" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability, as demonstrated by the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great mistake" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant error or misjudgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "serious error" or "major blunder" exist, "great mistake" effectively conveys the impact and regret associated with a substantial error. Remember to reserve its use for situations where the error truly warrants such emphasis to avoid diluting its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious error

Emphasizes the gravity of the error without necessarily implying fault.

major blunder

Suggests a careless or foolish error with significant consequences.

grave error

Highlights the severe consequences of the mistake.

critical failure

Focuses on the aspect of failure resulting from the error.

terrible misjudgment

Emphasizes the poor decision-making that led to the mistake.

colossal error

Exaggerates the size and impact of the error.

monumental oversight

Highlights the neglect or failure to notice something important.

significant lapse

Suggests a temporary failure of judgment or attention.

regrettable error

Indicates sorrow or disappointment about the mistake.

unfortunate misstep

Downplays the severity of the mistake, suggesting it was simply bad luck.

FAQs

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

You can use "great mistake" to describe a significant error or misjudgment. For example, "Not addressing the issue sooner was a "great mistake" that cost us valuable time."

What are some alternatives to saying "great mistake"?

Alternatives include "serious error", "major blunder", or "grave error" depending on the context and severity of the mistake.

Is "great mistake" formal or informal?

"Great mistake" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider alternatives like "significant lapse" or "critical failure".

What's the difference between "great mistake" and "honest mistake"?

A "great mistake" emphasizes the significant negative consequences of the error. An "honest mistake" implies the error was unintentional and made in good faith, regardless of its impact.