lead into error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lead into error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where someone is misled or guided to make a mistake. Example: "The misleading information in the article could easily lead into error for those who rely on it for guidance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He was using the standard definition: to lead into error, to cause someone to form an incorrect belief.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nothing so upsets a player's mental and physical poise as to be continually led into error".

The New York Times

He can do his own stuff in the corner, but I don't want him to lead people into error about our products.

The New Yorker

Security in the grid environment is a challenging issue that can be characterized as a complex system involving many subtleties that may lead designers into error.

Future Generation Computer Systems

This step seems sound (does not lead us into error) and may be sound; but its soundness is opaque.

SEP

It generates various illusions, focii imaginarii (A644/B672), that on the one hand, can help direct our intellectual practices, but on the other hand, lead us into error.

SEP

The only solution to skeptical doubt here is the principle, which he claims is known per se, that God does not produce an effect supernaturally in order to lie or to lead people into error (ibid. q. 1, concl. 14), a principle more famously used in connection with Descartes' thought experiment of a Dieu trompeur several centuries later.

SEP

But this bias can lead us into error in work, life and politics.

HuffPost

But the doctrinaire call to drastically scale back our global leadership role has usually led us into error, making the world a more chaotic and dangerous place.

The New York Times

At times, his skepticism leads him into errors of his own for example, his assertion that Nijinsky's first ballet, "The Afternoon of a Faun" (1912), was "a mere flash in the pan".

The New Yorker

At times, his skepticism leads him into errors of his own — for example, his assertion that Nijinsky's first ballet, "The Afternoon of a Faun" (1912), was "a mere flash in the pan".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lead into error", consider the level of intentionality. Is it accidental, or is there a deliberate intent to deceive?

Common error

Ensure you use the correct tense of "lead". "Lead" is the present tense, while "led" is the past tense. For example, "His bad advice can lead into error", but "His bad advice led them into error".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lead into error" functions as a causative verb phrase, indicating that something or someone causes another to make a mistake or fall into a state of incorrectness. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lead into error" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to describe the action of guiding or causing someone to make a mistake. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for use in various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic discussions. While it may not be the most frequently used phrase, it effectively conveys the idea of causality in errors and can be replaced by synonyms such as "mislead someone" or "cause someone to err" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misguide

A more direct and simple term for leading in the wrong direction.

mislead someone

Focuses on the act of deceiving or giving a false impression.

steer wrong

Implies guidance in an incorrect direction.

cause someone to err

Emphasizes the result of making a mistake.

send astray

Indicates a deviation from the correct path.

deceive into a mistake

Highlights the deception aspect leading to an error.

lead down the garden path

Suggests a gradual and deceptive leading into error or deception.

trick into wrongdoing

Implies a deliberate act of trickery leading to an immoral action.

lure into a blunder

Suggests temptation or enticement that results in a mistake.

fool into a misstep

Focuses on the naivety or lack of awareness of the person being fooled.

FAQs

How can I use "lead into error" in a sentence?

You can use "lead into error" to describe a situation where someone is guided or influenced to make a mistake, such as, "The misleading information could easily "lead into error" for those who rely on it."

What's a more formal way to say "lead into error"?

A more formal alternative to "lead into error" could be "cause someone to err" or "mislead". For example, "The inaccurate data may "cause someone to err" in their calculations."

What are some synonyms for "lead into error"?

Some synonyms for "lead into error" include "mislead someone", "send astray", or "steer wrong", all of which imply guiding someone towards a mistake.

How does "lead into error" differ from simply making a mistake?

"Lead into error" implies that there's an external influence or guidance that causes the mistake, while simply making a mistake suggests the error was unintentional and not influenced by outside factors.