made in error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made in error" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe an action, usually a mistake or blunder, which was committed unintentionally. Example sentence: The misfiling of the paperwork was made in error and must be corrected immediately.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

I thought the request was made in error.

The New York Times

"Releases made in error can make this many times worse".

Independent

They have not made in error in nine playoff games this year.

The New York Times - Sports

The gesture was made "in error, innocently, mistakenly, even stupidly," Mr. Sorkin said.

The New York Times

Ross says she was told the posting was made in error.

The Guardian

*Correction: This quote, used often by this writer and others, was made in error.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"The errors made in this case have been admitted.

The New York Times

Boland believes that even errors made in haste by the administration are still often overblown.

Vice

Don't compound the error you made in 2000.

Huffington Post

WHAT sorts of errors were made in 2001?

The New York Times

Hidalgo made an error in the next inning, drawing some boos, but Cincinnati did not score.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting errors in formal reports, use "made in error" to clearly and professionally state that a mistake occurred unintentionally.

Common error

While "made in error" is passive, avoid excessive passive voice in your writing. Ensure the subject performing the action is clear when it adds valuable context. For example, instead of "The decision was made in error", consider "The committee made the decision in error" if the committee's role is important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made in error" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to modify a noun or pronoun by indicating that an action, decision, or statement was performed incorrectly or unintentionally. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made in error" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe unintentional mistakes. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While several alternatives exist, such as "committed by mistake" or "done erroneously", "made in error" provides a clear and professional way to acknowledge and explain unintentional mistakes. When using this phrase, be mindful of overusing passive voice and ensure the context is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performed in error

Similar to the original, but uses "performed" instead of "made".

committed by mistake

This alternative emphasizes the unintentional nature of the error.

created in error

This alternative shifts the focus to the creation of something flawed or incorrect.

done erroneously

This option uses a more formal tone and focuses on the incorrectness of the action.

produced by mistake

Indicates that something was generated accidentally and incorrectly.

carried out incorrectly

This alternative highlights the improper execution of the action.

executed wrongly

This emphasizes the flawed execution of a process or task.

effected by mistake

Highlights the accidental result of an action.

conducted improperly

Focuses on the inappropriate manner in which something was carried out.

implemented fallaciously

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the misleading or deceptive nature of the error.

FAQs

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

You can use "made in error" to describe an action or decision that was unintentional. For example, "The payment was "made in error" and will be refunded immediately."

What is a more formal alternative to "made in error"?

A more formal alternative to "made in error" is "done erroneously". This phrase is suitable for official reports and documents.

Is it better to say "made by mistake" or "made in error"?

"Made by mistake" and "made in error" are quite similar. "Made in error" often carries a slightly more formal tone and is frequently used in official or professional contexts, whereas "made by mistake" is more conversational.

What is the difference between "error" and "mistake"?

While "error" and "mistake" are often used interchangeably, "error" tends to imply a deviation from a standard or expectation, while "mistake" suggests a faulty judgment or action. The phrase "made in error" is used in instances where the action deviated from the expected procedure.