having erred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having erred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has made a mistake or error in the past, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "Having erred in judgment, she sought to rectify her mistake by apologizing to her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The Colombian said he accepted full responsibility for the outcome, having "erred in the selection of the starting lineup and in the tactical part".

The Guardian - Sport

In the earlier game, it was fitting that a Williams mistake gave Robertson the chance to seal his passage to the last four, the Welshman having erred on several occasions throughout the match.

BBC

He followed events in Austria from afar, famously denying ever having erred; in fact, he declared the turmoil in Europe to be vindication of his policies.

Wikipedia

First, there is the spectacle of a member of the legislative branch making an insulting ad hominem remark about a sitting Justice... and then having the temerity, once having erred, to double-down.

Huffington Post

She also told VICE News that if his father was arrested for political crimes he would have been unable to stay anywhere because of the North Korean policy of punishing the family members of anyone who they perceive as having erred.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

White House doctors have erred.

The New York Times - Health

She also acknowledged that she had erred.

The New York Times

Then West could not have erred.

The New York Times

But the Hamilton team has erred, too.

The New York Times

He had claimed to have erred under pressure.

The Economist

The media has erred before, plenty of times.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having erred" in formal contexts to convey a sense of reflection and acceptance of responsibility for a past mistake.

Common error

Avoid using "having erred" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "made a mistake" or "was wrong" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having erred" functions as a participial phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a state resulting from a past action. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests that someone acknowledges responsibility for a previous mistake. It adds context, elaborating on the reason for a subsequent action or situation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "having erred" is a grammatically correct participial phrase best suited for formal contexts, such as news articles or professional reports, where it serves to acknowledge a past mistake and provide context for subsequent actions. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity, it's less common in informal settings. More common alternatives include "having made a mistake" or "having been wrong". Use it judiciously to convey a sense of accountability and reflection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having made a mistake

Replaces "erred" with the more common and direct term "made a mistake".

having committed an error

Substitutes "erred" with the slightly more formal "committed an error".

having been mistaken

Changes the verb to passive voice, focusing on the state of being wrong.

after making an error

Uses a temporal clause to express the sequence of events.

after having been wrong

Uses "wrong" instead of "erred", making it slightly less formal.

having misjudged

Specifies the type of mistake as a failure in judgment.

having acted incorrectly

Focuses on the action being wrong rather than the person making a mistake.

having slipped up

Uses the phrasal verb "slipped up" for a more informal tone.

having blundered

Replaces "erred" with "blundered" to emphasize a significant mistake.

having gone astray

Metaphorically describes the mistake as deviating from the correct path.

FAQs

How can I use "having erred" in a sentence?

You can use "having erred" to indicate that someone has made a mistake in the past and is now facing the consequences or reflecting on the error. For example: "Having erred in his judgment, he was forced to resign.

What is a more common way to say "having erred"?

More common alternatives include "having made a mistake", "having committed an error", or simply "having been wrong", depending on the context.

Is "having erred" formal or informal?

"Having erred" is generally considered a more formal way of admitting a mistake. Simpler phrases are typically preferred in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "having erred" and "making a mistake"?

"Having erred" implies a past action and acknowledgment of a more significant error, often with consequences, while "making a mistake" is a more general and immediate expression of error.