grievous mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

"grievous mistake" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an error or wrong action that has serious consequences. Example: "John realized that he had made a grievous mistake when he failed to submit his tax return on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I believe it is a grievous mistake".

The New Yorker

That would be a grievous mistake.

The New York Times

Then Raffaello De Ruggieri, a lawyer who considered the depopulation campaign a grievous mistake, moved in.

The New Yorker

They consider excessive growth a grievous mistake for a young enterprise, and almost always fatal.

The New York Times

This week Congress has a chance to begin fixing that grievous mistake.

The New York Times

Pardoning him, as even Clinton must realize by now, was a grievous mistake.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

There were no grievous mistakes, no stupid plays, nothing on which to hang the loss.

The New York Times - Sports

The West has learned through bitter experience to avoid the grievous mistakes it made from the outset of that venture.

The Economist

Third, Obama will want to avoid one of Labour's most grievous mistakes: forgetting his raison d'etre.

The Guardian - Opinion

Among several grievous mistakes he made was to hire a visually impaired civil engineer with no professional experience of ballistics to test the bullets because he came cheap.

The Guardian

The call for BBC websites to be slimmed down to protect the future of local papers ignores the grievous mistakes made down the years by profit-seeking publishers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grievous mistake", consider the audience and the context. While appropriate in formal writing and news reporting, it may sound overly dramatic in casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "grievous mistake" in everyday conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "big mistake" or "serious error" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grievous mistake" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "grievous" is an adjective modifying the noun "mistake". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It describes an error or wrong action with severe consequences, adding emphasis to the gravity of the situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grievous mistake" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that signifies a serious error with significant consequences. Ludwig AI validates its use in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to emphasize the gravity of a situation and express disapproval or regret. While interchangeable with similar phrases like "grave error" or "serious blunder", it should be used judiciously in informal contexts to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Its prevalence in authoritative sources underscores its appropriateness in formal writing and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave error

Emphasizes the seriousness and potential consequences of the mistake, akin to "grievous mistake" but more concise.

serious blunder

Highlights the clumsiness or lack of care involved in making the mistake, suggesting a significant lapse in judgment.

major miscalculation

Focuses on the flawed reasoning or planning that led to the mistake, implying an error in assessment.

terrible error

Highlights the negative consequences and impact of the mistake, emphasizing the distress it causes.

critical lapse in judgment

Emphasizes the failure to exercise sound reasoning or discretion, suggesting a severe deficiency in decision-making.

costly oversight

Highlights the financial or other tangible losses resulting from the mistake, emphasizing its detrimental effects.

fatal flaw

Implies an inherent weakness or defect that led to the mistake, suggesting a deep-seated problem.

unforgivable error

Stresses the severity of the mistake and the difficulty of excusing or condoning it, emphasizing its moral implications.

colossal failure

Emphasizes the magnitude and comprehensiveness of the mistake, suggesting a complete breakdown or collapse.

egregious error

Highlights the shocking or outrageous nature of the mistake, emphasizing its offensiveness or reprehensibility.

FAQs

What does "grievous mistake" mean?

A "grievous mistake" is a serious error or blunder that has significant and often negative consequences. It implies that the mistake is not only wrong but also deeply regrettable or harmful.

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

You can use "grievous mistake" to describe an action or decision that resulted in severe repercussions. For example, "The company's decision to ignore safety regulations was a "grievous mistake" that led to a major accident."

What can I say instead of "grievous mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "grave error", "serious blunder", or "major miscalculation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "grievous error" the same as "grievous mistake"?

While similar, "grievous error" and "grievous mistake" are largely interchangeable. "Error" often suggests an unintentional deviation from what is correct, whereas "mistake" can imply a poor choice or judgment. The best option depends on the context and nuance you want to emphasize.