may have erred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may have erred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when acknowledging the possibility of having made a mistake or error in judgment or action. Example: "In reviewing the report, I realize that I may have erred in my calculations, and I will double-check them for accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Similarly, June may have erred in the other direction.

The New York Times

Mr. Harbison may have erred in writing his own libretto.

The New York Times - Arts

I may have erred by mentioning the ideological side of the issue when it wasn't strictly necessary.

The Economist

Having been caught short before on the nuclear threat, American intelligence may have erred on the high side this time.

The New York Times

New research shows, however, that some estimates based on carbon may have erred by thousands of years.

The New York Times

In both neighborhoods, he said, the company may have erred by not talking enough with the public.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Plimpton may or may not have erred, but, in any case, he was a literary lion and his use of "hone in" is enshrined in Webster's.

The New Yorker

The dossier may or may not have erred in its naming of specific officials, but it was clearly prescient in its revelation that during the Presidential campaign a covert relationship had been established between Page and powerful Russians who wanted U.S. sanctions lifted.

The New Yorker

Beijing may well have erred in its structuring of the so-called torch relay.

The Economist

He may sometimes have erred, but they were errors of reasoning or understanding, not of motive or intent.

The Guardian

As I wrote in the first post, I thought that although the NFL and Goodell may well have erred on the merits, nothing they did was so egregiously wrong as to satisfy the standard for vacating an arbitral decision.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may have erred", consider the context. It is often used in formal writing or when addressing sensitive topics to maintain a respectful tone.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of hedging phrases like "may have erred" in situations where directness is preferred. Overusing such phrases can make your writing seem uncertain or lacking in confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may have erred" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or uncertainty regarding a past action or decision. It's used to suggest that someone might have made a mistake, without stating it as a definite fact. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may have erred" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates the possibility of a past mistake. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal contexts, particularly in news and media, where it serves to soften statements and express uncertainty. When writing, it's important to avoid overusing hedging language, but "may have erred" is useful when you want to politely suggest a mistake without directly accusing someone. Alternative phrases like "might have been mistaken" or "could have been wrong" can be used for similar effect, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have been mistaken

Indicates a possibility of being incorrect, similar to "may have erred" but slightly more direct.

could have been wrong

Expresses a possibility of being incorrect, using "could" to suggest a hypothetical situation.

might have miscalculated

Specifically suggests an error in calculation or estimation.

could have misjudged

Implicates an error in judgment or assessment.

perhaps was incorrect

A more formal way of suggesting an error, using "perhaps" to soften the statement.

possibly was in error

Emphasizes the state of being in error, rather than the act of making a mistake.

it's possible they were wrong

Shifts the focus to a third party, suggesting their potential fallibility.

it's conceivable they blundered

Uses "blundered" to imply a significant mistake or act of clumsiness.

conceivably made a mistake

Highlights the possibility of making an unintentional error.

it is not impossible they slipped up

Uses a double negative to suggest a possibility of a mistake, adding a layer of subtlety.

FAQs

How can I use "may have erred" in a sentence?

You can use "may have erred" to suggest a possibility of a mistake or misjudgment. For example: "The analysts "may have erred" in their projections for the upcoming quarter".

What are some alternatives to "may have erred"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might have been mistaken", "could have been wrong", or "perhaps was incorrect", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and formality.

Is "may have erred" formal or informal?

"May have erred" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "might be wrong" or "could be mistaken" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "may have erred" and "definitely erred"?

"May have erred" suggests a possibility of a mistake, while "definitely erred" asserts with certainty that a mistake was made. The former is less accusatory and more tentative than the latter.