honest mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

"honest mistake" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to acknowledge a mistake that was unintentional or made in good faith. For example, "I'm sorry that I forgot to submit the report on time - it was an honest mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's an honest mistake.

The New York Times - Sports

An honest mistake, sure.

The New York Times

"Honest mistake, you know".

The New Yorker

An honest mistake?

The New York Times

"It was an honest mistake.

The New York Times

"They made an honest mistake.

The New York Times - Science

"It was an honest mistake," he says.

The New York Times

An honest mistake, insists the defence.

The Economist

"Just an honest mistake," he said.

The New Yorker

An honest mistake could have been made.

The New York Times

It was "an honest mistake," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "honest mistake", clearly acknowledge the error and, if possible, explain how it occurred to demonstrate transparency and build trust.

Common error

Avoid attributing malicious intent to an error before confirming the facts. Jumping to conclusions can damage relationships and create unnecessary conflict; consider if it could simply be an "honest mistake" first.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "honest mistake" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples indicate its role in offering an explanation or justification for an unintentional error.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "honest mistake" is a commonly used phrase to describe an unintentional error. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. It serves to mitigate blame and reassure others of the lack of malicious intent. When using this phrase, it's important to acknowledge the error clearly and, if possible, explain its occurrence to demonstrate transparency. While authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ the expression, it's crucial to avoid assuming malicious intent behind errors before confirming the facts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuine error

Emphasizes the authenticity and lack of malicious intent in the error.

unintentional error

Directly highlights the lack of intention behind the mistake.

inadvertent error

Suggests the mistake happened due to oversight or carelessness.

unintentional oversight

Focuses on the lack of awareness or attention that led to the error.

simple mistake

Downplays the significance or impact of the mistake.

harmless error

Highlights the lack of negative consequences resulting from the mistake.

understandable mistake

Acknowledges the circumstances that make the mistake easily comprehensible.

excusable error

Implies that there are reasons why the mistake can be forgiven.

minor slip-up

Indicates a small and insignificant mistake.

negligible error

Suggests the error is so small it's not worth considering.

FAQs

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

You can use "honest mistake" to describe an unintentional error. For example, "Forgetting to send the email was an "honest mistake", and I apologize for the delay."

What are some alternatives to saying "honest mistake"?

Alternatives include "genuine error", "unintentional error", or "simple mistake" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "honest mistake" in a formal setting?

Yes, "honest mistake" can be used in formal settings, but it's essential to follow up with a sincere apology and a plan to prevent similar errors in the future.

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

"Honest mistake" implies an unintentional error without malicious intent, while "negligence" suggests a failure to exercise reasonable care, which may have more severe consequences.