he is in error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is in error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has made a mistake or is incorrect about something. Example: "In his analysis of the data, he is in error regarding the conclusions he has drawn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He is in error: the past participle of the verb drag is dragged, not drug.

The New York Times - Magazine

I believe he is in error to place so much shadow around the leading couple in the middle of "Diamonds," but he heightens some tableaus in "Emeralds" and "Rubies" with side lighting that makes the bodies gleam sensationally.

The New York Times - Arts

As much as I admire Abraham Brumberg, he is in error when he states in his review of "Stalin's Secret Pogrom" (July 15) that Stalin recognized Israel "hoping to use it as a weapon against the Arabs".

The New York Times - Books

For realists, he is in error about some true moral value.

SEP

And you all need to go do the investigation now on that side of it and quit asking us and ask what's the motivation here... "He is in error, and he's manipulating the situation and you are all buying it..

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He believes that his judgment then was "in error" and that "within a reasonable degree of scientific accuracy, Mr. Hill has significantly subaverage intellectual functioning with an IQ of approximately 70" and "meets the criteria for mild mental retardation".

The New York Times

"Dale realized he was in error.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps no Jets staffer had the nerve to notify the emperor he was in error.

The New York Times - Sports

Mexico's top drug prosecutor, Mariano Herran Salvatti, had discussed Mr. Herrera's supposed demise on a late-night television newscast, only to realize he was in error later, when forensic doctors sent him a photo of the body from the morgue.

The New York Times

But he was in error; he had remake the movie with a sound track at huge expense.

Huffington Post

So, Sokolove is in error when he blames the entire loss of readers on the Internet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is in error" when a formal tone is appropriate, such as in academic papers, legal documents, or professional communications. It clearly indicates a mistake without being overly harsh.

Common error

Avoid using "he is in error" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "he's wrong" or "he's mistaken" are more suitable for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is in error" functions as a declarative statement expressing disagreement or correction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It typically identifies that a person's belief, statement, or action is factually incorrect or misguided.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is in error" is a grammatically sound and reasonably frequent expression used to indicate that someone is mistaken or incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is best suited for formal contexts, such as academic papers or professional correspondence. While common in News & Media and Science publications, it can be replaced with more informal alternatives like "he is wrong" or "he is mistaken" in casual settings. When using "he is in error", ensure it aligns with the overall tone and register of your writing to maintain clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is mistaken

Uses a different adjective to indicate being wrong.

he is wrong

Employs a simpler, more direct term for incorrectness.

he is incorrect

Substitutes "error" with the adjective "incorrect".

he has made a mistake

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the act of making a mistake.

he is under a misapprehension

Indicates a misunderstanding or faulty comprehension.

he is deluded

Suggests a stronger form of being wrong, implying deception or illusion.

his understanding is flawed

Focuses on the imperfection or deficiency in his comprehension.

his assessment is inaccurate

Highlights the inexactness of his evaluation or judgment.

he's got it wrong

A more informal way of saying someone is incorrect.

he's off base

Uses an idiom to express that someone's statement or idea is incorrect.

FAQs

What does "he is in error" mean?

The phrase "he is in error" means that someone is mistaken or incorrect about something. It's a formal way of saying that someone is wrong.

What's a more informal way to say "he is in error"?

Informal alternatives to "he is in error" include "he is wrong", "he is mistaken", or "he got it wrong".

When is it appropriate to use "he is in error"?

The phrase "he is in error" is most appropriate in formal contexts such as academic writing, legal documents, or professional correspondence, where a clear and respectful indication of a mistake is needed. It's less suitable for casual conversation.

Is "he is in error" the same as "he made an error"?

While similar, "he is in error" focuses on the person's state of being incorrect, whereas "he made an error" emphasizes the action of making a mistake. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the person's current understanding or their past action. You can also express this idea using "he was mistaken".