inadvertent error

USAGE SUMMARY

'inadvertent error' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe an unintentional act or mistake. For example: The employee's inadvertent error caused a major disruption in the company's operations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I made a simple inadvertent error".

The New York Times

Notice at POS not furnished due to inadvertent error.

Cornell University

He says he made an "inadvertent error" and he's trying to keep his head up.

The New Yorker

Trump officials have called the mix-up an inadvertent error by his staff.

The New York Times

A lawyer for the plaintiff said the posting was an "inadvertent error".

The New York Times

You have to be sure because of the catastrophic effects of inadvertent error," said Baltimore.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Kushner has said the omissions were inadvertent errors.

The Washington Post

"These were not inadvertent errors," the judge wrote.

The New York Times

Further punishment does not act as a deterrent in these kind of inadvertent errors".

The New York Times

We also know this from our day-to-day lives, where inadvertent errors are common.

The New York Times

(In the press release announcing the settlement, Baum acknowledged only that "it occasionally made inadvertent errors").

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inadvertent error", ensure the context clearly indicates the mistake was unintentional. Avoid using it to downplay deliberate misconduct.

Common error

Avoid using "inadvertent error" when there's evidence suggesting the mistake was intentional or due to negligence. Use terms like "oversight" or "mistake" without the "inadvertent" qualifier if intent is unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inadvertent error" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is used to describe mistakes or errors made unintentionally.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

22%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inadvertent error" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an unintentional mistake. As Ludwig confirms, it's common in contexts like news reporting, academic writing, and scientific publications. Alternatives such as "unintentional mistake" or "accidental slip-up" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember that "inadvertent error" should only be used when the error was genuinely unintentional, and not as a way to excuse negligence or deliberate actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unintentional mistake

Focuses on the lack of intent behind the mistake, similar to "inadvertent error".

unwitting mistake

Stresses that the person making the mistake was unaware of doing anything wrong. Has the same nuance as the original phrase.

accidental slip-up

Implies a minor, unintentional mistake, often in speech or action. "Accidental slip-up" changes the register to an informal one.

unintended oversight

Highlights the aspect of neglecting something unintentionally.

unpremeditated error

Highlights the lack of planning or forethought behind the error.

unforeseen blunder

Emphasizes the unexpected and clumsy nature of the error. In comparison to "inadvertent error", it sounds graver.

involuntary fault

Emphasizes that the error occurred without conscious control.

casual mistake

Suggests a relaxed, unintentional error that wasn't expected to happen. More casual tone.

fortuitous mistake

Implies a mistake that happens by chance, usually with no harm.

negligent error

The error happens due to neglect. Includes guilt.

FAQs

What does "inadvertent error" mean?

An "inadvertent error" is an unintentional mistake or oversight. It implies that the error was made without any deliberate intention or awareness.

How to use "inadvertent error" in a sentence?

You can use "inadvertent error" to describe a mistake that was not planned or intended, such as, "The data breach was caused by an "inadvertent error" in the system's configuration".

What can I say instead of "inadvertent error"?

You can use alternatives like "unintentional mistake", "accidental slip-up", or "unintended oversight depending on the context.

Is "inadvertent error" the same as "negligent error"?

No, "inadvertent error" suggests a mistake made without awareness, while "negligent error" implies the mistake occurred due to a failure to exercise reasonable care or caution.