little error

USAGE SUMMARY

"little error" is certainly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to a minor mistake or oversight. For example, "I made a little error in my presentation, but overall it went very well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Little error there.

The New Yorker

"It's pretty clear to me that there's a little error there," Mr. Abney said.

The New York Times

That little error that maybe every human being can make caught him".

The New York Times - Sports

For half an hour the damage on the scoreboard was limited but the ominous signs for Exeter were building with every little error, with every big Saracens surge.

The Guardian - Sport

At times in the first half the Chelsea side looked a little error strewn and struggled to put the ball in the net frequently missing opportunities.

Independent

Either that or someone has made quite a little error.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

We made a number of little errors and they all added up".

The Guardian - Sport

Europe is a different competition and little errors can change the game.

The Guardian - Sport

You can destroy little bits of it by all these little errors that you make.

The New York Times

He remembers all the commands and knows where to find them, and he spots the little errors I make.

The Guardian - Tech

Younger brother Yusuke's routine had a lot of little errors, mostly form breaks of his hands.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little error", consider the context to determine if a more specific term like "oversight" or "inaccuracy" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "little error" when the mistake has significant consequences. A more serious error might warrant a different description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little error" functions as a noun phrase, where "little" modifies the noun "error". It describes a mistake or fault that is small in magnitude or consequence. Ludwig provides examples across various contexts, illustrating its usage in describing minor deviations from correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little error" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe a minor mistake or inaccuracy. As indicated by Ludwig, it is used frequently in both scientific and news contexts. While grammatically sound, choosing more specific terms like "oversight" or "inaccuracy" can sometimes enhance clarity. It's important to avoid using this phrase for errors that carry significant weight, as this can downplay important issues. The wide array of examples provided by Ludwig solidifies its consistent utility in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor mistake

Replaces "error" with "mistake", emphasizing a slight deviation from correctness.

small oversight

Focuses on the aspect of unintentionally missing something.

slight inaccuracy

Highlights the lack of precision or correctness, portraying it as minimal.

trivial mistake

Indicates the error is not significant or important.

negligible error

Stresses that the error is so small it can be disregarded.

minor slip-up

Suggests a small and unintentional blunder.

small defect

Focuses on imperfections or flaws, suggesting a minor problem.

slight imperfection

Emphasizes that it is not perfect but only slightly deviates from perfection.

technical glitch

Implies the error is related to technology.

insignificant fault

Highlights the unimportance of the fault or error.

FAQs

What does "little error" mean?

The phrase "little error" refers to a minor mistake, oversight, or inaccuracy that doesn't have significant consequences.

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

You can use "little error" to describe something that went slightly wrong, such as, "I made a "little error" in the calculations, but it didn't affect the final result."

What's the difference between "little error" and "major mistake"?

"Little error" suggests a minor problem with minimal impact, while "major mistake" indicates a significant blunder with potentially serious consequences.

What are some alternatives to saying "little error"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "minor mistake", "small oversight", or "slight inaccuracy" instead of "little error".