makes the mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "makes the mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has committed an error or misjudgment in a particular situation. Example: "She often makes the mistake of assuming everyone understands her point of view."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Arendt makes the mistake of taking Eichmann at his word.

The New Yorker

Stephens shows but does not makes the mistake of telling.

The Guardian

Until somebody makes the mistake of asking for an injury update.

The New York Times - Sports

But sometimes the medical field makes the mistake of valuing most what is most easily measured.

The New Yorker

Susan Harrison plays the columnist's sweet younger sister who makes the mistake of falling in love.

The New York Times

The Artist is tender, touching and never makes the mistake of simply sending itself up.

The Guardian - Film

The movie makes the mistake of dramatically imitating its drab environment.

The New York Times

Evidence makes the mistake of many narratives: the only interesting character is the villain.

The New York Times - Tech

For Nicolson makes the mistake of assuming that facts tell their own story, without any coaxing.

The Guardian - Books

But he makes the mistake of telling Phil that the judge has forgotten his roots.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

During the last presidential campaign, John Kerry once ruminated that "everybody always makes the mistake of looking South".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "makes the mistake", ensure the context clearly defines who is making the error and what the error consists of for clarity.

Common error

While "makes the mistake" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "commits an error" or "errs in judgment" in academic or professional writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes the mistake" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of committing an error or misjudgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Books

11%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "makes the mistake" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that someone is committing an error or misjudgment. Ludwig AI analysis and numerous examples show its frequent use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives like ""commits an error"" or ""errs in judgment"" for academic or professional writing. When using "makes the mistake", ensure clarity by explicitly stating who is making the error and what the error entails.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commits an error

Focuses on the act of committing an error, emphasizing the action itself.

errs in judgment

Highlights a flaw in the decision-making process, suggesting a lack of wisdom.

makes an error in judgment

Combines the action of making an error with the specific context of judgment.

miscalculates

Implies a faulty calculation or assessment, often in a quantitative sense but also applicable more broadly.

misjudges

Emphasizes a wrong evaluation or assessment of a situation or person.

blunders

Suggests a clumsy or careless mistake.

slips up

Indicates a minor or unintentional error.

takes a wrong turn

Implies deviating from a correct course of action.

goes astray

Suggests a deviation from what is morally or practically correct.

drops the ball

An idiomatic expression for failing to fulfill a responsibility or make a mistake.

FAQs

How can I use "makes the mistake" in a sentence?

You can use "makes the mistake" to indicate that someone is committing an error or misjudgment. For example, "He makes the mistake of underestimating his opponent."

What are some alternatives to "makes the mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "commits an error", "errs in judgment", or "miscalculates" depending on the context.

Is "makes the mistake" formal or informal?

"Makes the mistake" is generally acceptable in most contexts, but for formal writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "commits an error" or "errs in judgment".

What's the difference between "makes the mistake" and "committed an error"?

"Makes the mistake" implies an ongoing action or tendency, while "committed an error" refers to a specific past action. For example, "He often makes the mistake of arriving late" versus "He "committed an error" by missing the deadline".