innocent error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "innocent error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mistake that was made without malicious intent or negligence. Example: "The report contained an innocent error that did not affect the overall findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Even an innocent error about a decoration could result in fines or imprisonment.

The New York Times

A big crisis always seemed to begin with an innocent error.

The New York Times

I reassured him -- we would accept the alarm as an innocent error, and he could forget it.

The New York Times

Although I generally assert that it is unethical to exploit an innocent error, I exempt situations in which someone intends to do wrong but inadvertently does right.

The New York Times - Magazine

As Rebecca Rowlands learned during her fight with ovarian cancer, the insurer can withdraw it upon discovering the most innocent error in your paperwork.

The New York Times - Books

There is a middle ground between innocent error and wholesale fraud, of course, including interpreting an ambiguous data point or result in a way that is favorable to your thesis — something not unique to economics or even the academic world.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

They said any flaws in the petition were innocent errors.

The New York Times

There are innocent errors, and ethics intersects not their commission but the response to them.

The New York Times - Magazine

While fraud in voting by mail is far less common than innocent errors, it is vastly more prevalent than the in-person voting fraud that has attracted far more attention, election administrators say.

The New York Times

Significantly, tax experts warn, filers are subject to major penalties for underreporting — and even where innocent errors are made, they say, it will be up to the taxpayer to convince the I.R.S. examiner of their innocence.

The New York Times

"Based on these findings, the data in the 2005 paper cannot be seen as innocent errors," Roe said.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "innocent error", ensure the context clearly demonstrates that the mistake was unintentional and without malicious intent. This helps to mitigate potential misunderstandings or accusations of negligence.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "innocent error" to describe situations involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct. This can diminish the severity of the situation and undermine trust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "innocent error" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'innocent' modifies the noun 'error'. It describes a specific type of mistake. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "innocent error" is a common way to describe a mistake made without malicious intent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Its function is to explain or mitigate a mistake by emphasizing its unintentional nature. While generally neutral in tone, the specific context dictates the level of formality. The most frequent contexts include News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing. Related phrases include "unintentional mistake" and "harmless oversight", each with slightly different nuances. When using "innocent error", it's crucial to ensure the context supports the claim of unintentionality to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unintentional mistake

Focuses on the lack of intention behind the error.

unwitting mistake

Highlights the lack of awareness or knowledge when the mistake was made.

inadvertent slip

Emphasizes the accidental nature of the error.

harmless oversight

Indicates that the error has no significant negative consequences.

honest mistake

Highlights the absence of deceit or malicious intent.

minor transgression

Suggests a small and not very important error.

accidental blunder

Emphasizes the coincidental and clumsy nature of the error.

negligible lapse

Focuses on the insignificance of the error.

forgivable fault

Suggests that the error is easily pardoned or excused.

trivial mistake

Indicates the error is of little consequence or importance.

FAQs

What does "innocent error" mean?

An "innocent error" refers to a mistake made without any intention to deceive or cause harm. It is an unintentional mistake.

How can I use "innocent error" in a sentence?

You might say, "The audit revealed an "innocent error" in the financial statements, which was quickly corrected".

What are some alternatives to saying "innocent error"?

You can use alternatives such as "unintentional mistake", "harmless oversight", or "honest mistake" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a legal implication to labeling something an "innocent error"?

Yes, legally, labeling something an "innocent error" can differentiate it from fraud or negligence, potentially affecting the severity of consequences. It suggests a lack of intent to deceive or harm, but it's important to consult with legal counsel for specific situations.