minor mistakes

USAGE SUMMARY

'minor mistakes' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe mistakes that are not serious or severe. For example: "Although there were some minor mistakes in his presentation, overall it was very well-received."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was just minor mistakes," Phillips said.

The New York Times - Sports

Minor mistakes could nullify hours of work.

The New York Times - Sports

Two-thirds feared being detained for "minor mistakes or misstatements".

The New York Times

Lanci's reading included minor mistakes and one huge error.

The New York Times - Arts

Mustafina is the second-to-last competitor, and she had a few minor mistakes.

The New York Times

It was Slyusarchuk who played like a computer, though he made a few minor mistakes.

The New York Times

In the end, she made two minor mistakes that cost her points from two columns.

The New York Times - Sports

"I am a bit disappointed of my run because I did some minor mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

Two-thirds feared being detained for "minor mistakes or misstatements"." Read full article here.

The New York Times

As before, we make corrections to minor mistakes, such as spelling errors or other typographic mistakes.

Cornell University

There's always minor mistakes that you make, re gardless of whether you win or lose.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "minor mistakes", ensure the context clearly indicates that the errors are not significant or impactful. This avoids miscommunication about the severity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "minor mistakes" to downplay errors that have significant consequences. Always accurately assess the impact of mistakes to maintain credibility and transparency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor mistakes" functions as a noun phrase, where "minor" serves as an adjective modifying the noun "mistakes". It typically identifies and categorizes errors based on their significance, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

27%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minor mistakes" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe errors that are not significant. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. To enhance your writing, ensure that the context clearly reflects the insignificance of the errors and avoid downplaying issues with significant consequences. Alternatives like "slight errors" or "trivial errors" can be used depending on the specific nuances you want to convey. The phrase is considered neutral in register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight errors

Emphasizes the small degree of error.

small oversights

Focuses on the aspect of neglect or inattention.

trivial errors

Highlights the insignificance of the mistakes.

insignificant blunders

Implies a mistake that's not worth noting.

negligible faults

Stresses the irrelevance of the flaws.

little imperfections

Points out minor flaws in something.

forgivable errors

Highlights that mistakes are easy to forgive.

petty slip-ups

Focuses on errors are unimportant and easy to make.

unimportant lapses

Highlights the irrelevance and the accidental nature of the error.

modest inaccuracies

Implies a mistake that affects precision or correctness.

FAQs

How can I use "minor mistakes" in a sentence?

Use "minor mistakes" to describe errors that are not serious or consequential. For example, "The project was successful despite a few "minor mistakes" in the initial planning phase."

What are some synonyms for "minor mistakes"?

Alternatives to "minor mistakes" include "slight errors", "small oversights", or "trivial errors". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "minor mistakes"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that the errors are not critical and do not significantly affect the outcome. Be careful not to use it to downplay issues that might have larger repercussions.

What's the difference between "minor mistakes" and "major errors"?

"Minor mistakes" refer to small, insignificant errors, while "major errors" indicate significant issues that can have serious consequences. Recognizing the difference is crucial for effective communication and problem-solving.