makes one mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "makes one mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where a person has committed a single error or blunder. Example: "Even the best professionals sometimes makes one mistake that can lead to unexpected consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Moses makes one mistake and God shoots him in the head — he'll never get to the Promised Land.

The New York Times - Books

Schulz makes one mistake, though, in suggesting that long bills evolved to reach nectar as a way around plant defenses.

The New Yorker

The LA Times piece, he said, was "a great article but it makes one mistake, which is to think that these guys are journalists, and that they care about things that journalists care about.

The Guardian

Pol α makes one mistake per 10 10 bases replicated (Kunkel et al. 1989), whereas Pol ε (operating on the leading strand) and Pol δ (operating on the lagging strand) (Karthikeyan et al. 2000; Larrea et al. 2010) exhibit error frequencies of 10−5 10−7 due to their proofreading 3′→5′ exonuclease activity (Shcherbakova et al. 2003; Fortune et al. 2005; McCulloch and Kunkel 2008; Burgers 2009).

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Domracheva, who won the pursuit on Tuesday, made one mistake at the shooting range but it hardly mattered as she produced a dominant display on the skis.

The Guardian - Sport

Make one mistake as a company on a road change, and it could cause serious problems or danger for someone.

TechCrunch

"We made one mistake in the whole game, two mistakes on that play," he said, correcting himself quickly as he discussed the winning goal.

The New York Times - Sports

"He only made one mistake over two days, which is tremendous effort on this course.

The Guardian - Sport

He made one mistake, however, by not showing up at Belmont Park on Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

Then, one day, on set of 'Karate-Chop Charlie,' I get confused and make one mistake during filming.

The New Yorker

He acknowledges making one mistake.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "makes one mistake", ensure the context clearly indicates the significance or consequence of that single error.

Common error

Avoid using "makes one mistake" to describe trivial errors that have little to no impact on the overall outcome. Reserve it for situations where the single error carries noticeable weight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes one mistake" functions as a predicate in a sentence, typically describing an action performed by a subject. It indicates that someone or something has committed a single error. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "makes one mistake" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the commission of a single error, and according to Ludwig AI the phrase is correct. Its impact lies in highlighting the potential consequences of that error. The phrase maintains a generally neutral tone suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media, sports and science. Related phrases like "commits a single error" or "slips up once" offer alternative ways to convey a similar meaning. When using "makes one mistake", consider the significance of the error and avoid overemphasizing minor errors. The frequency of use is considered uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commits a single error

Replaces "makes" with "commits" and "mistake" with "error", emphasizing the action of committing an error.

slips up once

Uses the phrasal verb "slips up" to indicate making a mistake, adding a slightly informal tone.

errs on one occasion

Replaces "mistake" with "errs" and "once" with "one occasion" to convey a formal tone.

is wrong once

Uses "is wrong" to denote making a mistake, focusing on the state of being incorrect.

flubs one attempt

Uses "flubs" to suggest a clumsy or inept mistake, implying a lack of skill.

messes up one time

Employs "messes up" for a more casual and informal way to describe making a mistake.

drops the ball once

Uses the idiom "drops the ball" to indicate a failure or mistake, usually due to negligence.

fouls up one instance

Uses "fouls up" to suggest a blunder or error that disrupts a process or plan.

miscalculates once

Focuses specifically on errors in calculation or judgment.

misjudges one situation

Highlights errors in judgment or assessment of a particular situation.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "makes one mistake"?

It means they commit a single error. The significance of the phrase lies in whether that single error has important consequences.

What can I say instead of "makes one mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "commits a single error", "slips up once", or "errs on one occasion" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "makes one mistake" or "makes a mistake"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "makes one mistake" emphasizes the singularity of the error. "Makes a mistake" is more general.

How does the impact of a single mistake affect the use of "makes one mistake"?

The phrase is most impactful when that single mistake leads to significant consequences. In minor situations, alternative phrases may be more appropriate.