intentional mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

"intentional mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a mistake that was made on purpose, usually to achieve an alternative result or to deliberately subvert a given process. For example, "John had an intentional mistake on his essay in order to prompt a discussion with his teacher about its topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In 2012 Wired published an article about the fiasco that it headlined "An Intentional Mistake".

The Guardian - Tech

We change the frame of meaning by acting like it never really mattered -- an embarrassing memory is transformed to one of carefree debauchery and an "intentional mistake".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Ms. Moulton said she is trying to "empower" people to get back into cooking, into dining with someone instead of eating on the run -- somewhat as Julia Child did in the 70's, when she made intentional mistakes during shows.

The New York Times - Arts

In episode one, Violet learns the letter of the law so that she can subvert its spirit in episode two; the ultimate value of Aunt Josephine's careful grammatical lessons is the code the children discover hidden in her (intentional) mistakes.

The New Yorker

I wondered if these were intentional, mistakes, or happy imperfections.

HuffPost

A few intentional mistakes in spelling every here and there also wouldn't do you any harm.

WikiHow

Make sure you know when it is okay to post intentional "mistakes" like "teh" instead of "the".

WikiHow

One shareholder suit, a class action filed last June in U.S. District Court in Jackson, Miss., accuses the company of inflating revenue with intentional billing mistakes, made all the easier by a chaotic billing system where honest mistakes were common anyway.

Forbes

Benetos et al. [12] developed and used the score-informed Piano Transcription Dataset, containing seven recordings with intentional execution mistakes.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Reason's taxonomy, which categorises actions into unintentional (slips and lapses) and intentional ones (mistakes and infractions), is used as a reference for identifying possible suboptimal cognitive acts that physicians may have performed during the dyspnoea diagnostic process.

BMC Family Practice

The Israeli military has not said whether the strike on the house in Zeitoun was intentional or a mistake.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "intentional mistake", ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose or motive behind the deliberate error. This adds depth and nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "intentional mistake" when the error is due to oversight or lack of knowledge. The phrase implies a conscious decision, not mere negligence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intentional mistake" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It describes a specific type of error that is made deliberately. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, illustrating how the phrase is used to denote a mistake done on purpose.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intentional mistake" describes an error made on purpose, and Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct. Its frequency is rare, primarily appearing in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. When using "intentional mistake", clarity is key: ensure the context highlights the purpose behind the deliberate error. Alternatives such as "deliberate error" or "calculated blunder" can provide subtle shifts in meaning. Understanding the deliberate aspect is fundamental to the correct application of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliberate error

Replaces "mistake" with "error", emphasizing the conscious nature of the act.

purposeful slip-up

Substitutes "mistake" with "slip-up", suggesting a minor, but deliberate, error.

calculated blunder

Uses "blunder" instead of "mistake", indicating a significant, intentional misstep.

knowing fault

Emphasizes the awareness and intention behind the error.

premeditated oversight

Suggests the "mistake" was overlooked on purpose to achieve a goal.

strategic error

Highlights the strategic value and benefit of a planned error.

tactical miscalculation

Suggests a plan with an intended miscalculation for tactical advantage.

designed flaw

Focuses on the design aspect, implying that the flaw was included on purpose.

orchestrated failure

The "mistake" is actively part of a larger orchestrated sequence of events.

contrived inaccuracy

Highlights the artificial nature of the error, making it less of a true mistake.

FAQs

What does "intentional mistake" mean?

An "intentional mistake" refers to an error made on purpose, typically to achieve a specific goal or outcome. It implies a deliberate choice, rather than an accidental slip.

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

You might say, "The politician made an "intentional mistake" during the debate to gauge the public's reaction to a controversial policy."

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

An "honest mistake" is an unintentional error, while an "intentional mistake" is a deliberate act. The key distinction is the presence of intent.

What are some alternatives to "intentional mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "deliberate error", "purposeful slip-up", or "calculated blunder" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.