marred by errors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marred by errors" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something has been spoiled or made less perfect because of mistakes or flaws. For example, "The student's exam paper was marred by errors, resulting in a lower grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Two firearms experts said on Tuesday that a police operation that ended in the death of Azelle Rodney was marred by errors, some of which made it "almost inevitable" that someone would be shot.

The Guardian

Its three directors when torture took place – George Tenet, Porter Goss and Mike Hayden – blasted it as "marred by errors of fact and interpretation", in the Wall Street Journal.

The Guardian

After the Senate committee delivered a draft to the CIA in 2012, the agency then launched its own review of the report, before concluding that the Senate's draft was marred by errors and unfair conclusions.

Independent

It was a "one-sided study marred by errors of fact and interpretation, essentially a poorly done and partisan attack on the agency that has done the most to protect America", the former CIA directors George Tenet, Porter Goss and Michael Hayden wrote in the Wall Street Journal.

The Guardian

Although the Democrat, Christine O. Gregoire, was sworn in as governor on Jan . 12 Republicans continue to contend that the election, which featured three official counts and a final margin of victory of just 129 votes, was so marred by errors that its results should be thrown out.

The New York Times

The ruling, in response to arguments by the opposition party that the balloting was marred by errors, deprived the Institutional Revolutionary Party of the only governorship that it had won since losing the presidential elections in July, after 71 years in power.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

And the book is marred by avoidable errors.

The Economist

Facebook's debut was marred by technical errors.

The New York Times

The response by law-enforcement officials to Nichols's crimes was marred by terrible errors.

The New Yorker

Education officials disagreed, and Lindsey Harr, a department spokeswoman, said the audit was "marred by serious errors and misunderstandings".

The New York Times

The analytical value of Keegan's geostrategic framework is marred by numerous errors that will leave readers confused and misinformed.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "marred by errors", ensure the subject and type of errors are clearly specified for maximum clarity. For instance, instead of saying "The report was marred by errors", specify "The report was marred by factual errors and calculation mistakes".

Common error

Avoid using "marred by errors" without specifying the kind of errors. Unclear statements like "The project was marred by errors" leaves the reader uninformed about the specific issues, lessening the sentence's impact and practical value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marred by errors" functions as a passive construction, where "marred" acts as a past participle modifying a noun. It indicates that the subject has been negatively impacted or spoiled due to the presence of mistakes. Ludwig AI confirms that is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "marred by errors" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction to indicate that something has been negatively affected by mistakes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and useful phrase. While versatile, it’s more prevalent in neutral to formal contexts such as news reports, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. For clarity, specifying the type of errors is advisable, and synonyms like "flawed by inaccuracies" or "spoiled by mistakes" offer alternative ways to express similar meanings with subtle variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flawed by inaccuracies

Replaces "errors" with "inaccuracies", suggesting a lack of precision rather than outright mistakes.

spoiled by mistakes

Substitutes "marred" with "spoiled", emphasizing the negative impact of the errors.

tainted by faults

Uses "tainted" to highlight the contamination caused by "faults", implying a loss of purity or integrity.

impaired by defects

Replaces "marred" with "impaired", suggesting a weakening or damage due to "defects".

blemished by inaccuracies

Similar to "flawed by inaccuracies", but with a slightly stronger connotation of superficial damage.

compromised by errors

Implies that the errors have weakened or endangered something.

damaged by mistakes

Replaces "marred" with "damaged", directly indicating harm caused by the errors.

weakened by faults

Focuses on the reduction in strength or effectiveness due to the faults.

ridden with errors

Implies a high quantity or prevalence of errors.

afflicted by inaccuracies

Suggests the presence of inaccuracies is a negative condition affecting something.

FAQs

How can I use "marred by errors" in a sentence?

Use "marred by errors" to describe something negatively affected by mistakes. For example, "The study was "marred by errors" in data collection, leading to unreliable conclusions."

What are some alternatives to "marred by errors"?

You can use alternatives such as "flawed by inaccuracies", "spoiled by mistakes", or "tainted by faults" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "marred by errors" or "marred with errors"?

"Marred by errors" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Marred with errors" is less frequent and sounds less natural.

What does "marred by errors" imply about the subject?

It implies that the subject has been negatively affected or diminished in quality due to the presence of mistakes or inaccuracies. The extent of the damage can vary depending on the context.