mere mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

'mere mistake' is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to describe an action that was insignificant or caused no serious harm. For example, "She apologized for her mere mistake of sending the wrong document."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Was this a mere mistake or bozocraft?

The New York Times

Feldman rejected the notion that this might have been a mere mistake.

The New York Times - Arts

Other ways of expressing the fact that an inference is deductively valid are to say that the truth of the premises gives (or would give) an absolute guarantee of the truth of the conclusion or that it would involve a logical inconsistency (as distinct from a mere mistake of fact) to suppose that the premises were true but the conclusion false.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Moreover, much that is attractive about Smith's theory is bound up with this limitation; his relativistic tendencies are not a mere mistake but a consequence of the structure of his theory.

SEP

In what was perhaps a mere mistake, like the misspelling of UK prime minister Theresa May's name on an official memo, the Trump White House released its International Holocaust Remembrance Day statement without mentioning the people the day is generally meant to remember: Jews.

Vice

In what was perhaps a mere mistake, like the misspelling of UK prime minister Theresa May's name on an official memo, the Trump White House released its International Holocaust Remembrance Day statement without mentioning the people the day is generally meant to remember: Jews.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But Downing sought to cast as mere mistakes what prosecutors view as intentional misrepresentations.

The Washington Post

Mr. Milne, the Soundview analysts, sees the problems as more than mere mistakes.

The New York Times

But Mr. Chalifoux, the prosecutor, contended that Mr. Kozlowski and Mr. Swartz had not made mere mistakes.

The New York Times

And the statement of facts accompanying the agreement says that the bank "knowingly and willfully engaged in this criminal conduct," something far beyond mere mistakes.

The New York Times

If he was guilty of mismanagement, miscalculation or mere mistakes then the proper place to hold him to account would be the ballot box.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mere mistake" to downplay the severity of an error, but acknowledge the error nonetheless to maintain transparency.

Common error

Avoid using "mere mistake" when the error has significant repercussions; this can undermine your credibility and appear dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere mistake" functions as a noun phrase, where "mere" serves as an adjective emphasizing the insignificance of the noun "mistake". This is supported by Ludwig AI, which classifies it as grammatically correct. The phrase is used to qualify or describe an error, minimizing its importance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mere mistake" is a grammatically sound phrase used to diminish the significance of an error. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability in diverse contexts, primarily within news, encyclopedic, and scientific domains. While not overly formal, it's crucial to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring the mistake's actual insignificance aligns with the context. Alternative phrases like "simple error" or "slight oversight" can provide similar meaning with slightly different emphasis. Failing to appropriately assess its true impact may undermine trust in the information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple error

Focuses on the lack of complexity of the mistake.

slight oversight

Highlights the unintentional nature of the mistake and its minimal impact.

minor slip-up

Emphasizes the small scale and casual nature of the mistake.

trivial error

Stresses the insignificance and lack of importance of the mistake.

insignificant blunder

Underscores the lack of consequence associated with the mistake.

petty fault

Implies a minor and easily forgivable mistake.

forgivable lapse

Highlights the excusable nature of the mistake.

minor transgression

Suggests a slight deviation from expected behavior or standards.

unimportant mishap

Focuses on the lack of significant consequences from the mistake.

negligible failing

Emphasizes the minimal impact or deficiency of the mistake.

FAQs

How can I use "mere mistake" in a sentence?

You can use "mere mistake" to describe a minor error that has little to no significant consequences. For example, "The misspelling was a "mere mistake" and did not affect the meaning of the document."

What's a more formal alternative to "mere mistake"?

A more formal alternative could be "slight oversight" or "inconsequential error", depending on the specific context and the degree of formality required.

Is "mere mistake" always appropriate to use?

No, it is not. Using "mere mistake" is inappropriate if the mistake had serious consequences or reflects negligence. In such cases, a more serious and accountable tone is needed.

What is the difference between ""mere mistake"" and "negligence"?

"Mere mistake" implies an unintentional and minor error, while negligence suggests a failure to exercise reasonable care, potentially leading to more significant consequences.