miscalculated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "miscalculated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an error in calculation or judgment regarding a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The team miscalculated the budget for the project, leading to unexpected expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

McDonald's reinvention of the Hamburglar was seemingly meant as a play for refreshed cultural relevance, but deeply mixed reactions to the new beef thief raise the prospect that the corporation has miscalculated.

The Guardian - Business

But as I turned on to PM on Thursday afternoon it turned out I had miscalculated.

The Guardian

There is little doubt that the IMF and EC miscalculated when they forced Greece into a second bailout in 2012 that repaid private lenders with EU and IMF funds.

The Guardian

We discuss the current crisis in British universities, which having imposed fees now find that they are short of cash because the government miscalculated what students would have to pay and is now unable to ensure that the loans handed out to cover the fees will ever be repaid.

The Guardian - Books

During the surveillance battle, McConnell miscalculated the lengths to which his colleague from Kentucky, Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul, would go to block any renewal of the Patriot Act without reforms.

The Guardian

Izvolski had drastically miscalculated: he had handed Bosnia-Herzegovina to Austria but got nothing in return.

The Guardian - Opinion

If so, they miscalculated.

The New York Times - Arts

It may have miscalculated on May 1st, since it is now the federal authorities' number-one target.

The Economist

But Russia has also miscalculated by marching its troops into Georgia proper.

The Economist

The prime minister, who heads a Conservative minority government, clearly reckoned that giving legislators an extra winter break, during which they might visit the Winter Olympics (in Vancouver between February 12th and 28th), would not bother Canadians much.He may have miscalculated.

The Economist

The election left the party in ruins; its defeated prime minister and leader, Alain Juppé, reviled; its founder and spiritual leader, President Jacques Chirac (who had miscalculated by calling the snap election), hugely discredited.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "miscalculated", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being calculated, such as risks, costs, or outcomes. Specificity improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "miscalculated" too broadly. If the error was not specifically a calculation but a general misjudgment, consider using alternatives like "misjudged" or "misread" to more accurately convey the nature of the mistake.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "miscalculated" is as the past tense form of the verb 'miscalculate'. It is used to indicate that someone made an error in their calculation or judgment at some point in the past. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "miscalculated" is a versatile term indicating an error in calculation or judgment, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, most notably in News & Media, and Formal & Business domains. To enhance clarity, ensure the context specifies what was being calculated. While "miscalculated" is generally neutral, consider alternatives like "misjudged" or "misread" if the error wasn't specifically a calculation. High-quality sources like The Economist and The Guardian frequently employ the term, underscoring its relevance and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erred in calculation

This alternative highlights the mistake specifically in the calculation process.

made a misjudgment

Focuses on the error being one of judgment rather than strict calculation.

estimated incorrectly

Emphasizes that the error was in the initial estimation.

misread the data

Focuses on misunderstanding the available information.

misjudged the situation

This alternative broadens the scope to a general misunderstanding of the circumstances.

came to the wrong conclusion

Highlights arriving at an incorrect understanding or deduction.

failed to foresee

Highlights the lack of anticipation rather than a direct error in calculation.

overlooked the implications

Focuses on missing the consequences of an action or decision.

underestimated the impact

Emphasizes the error as a failure to fully appreciate the significance of something.

got the wrong end of the stick

An idiomatic way of saying someone misunderstood a situation, less formal.

FAQs

How can I use "miscalculated" in a sentence?

You can use "miscalculated" to describe an error in judgment or calculation. For instance, "The company "miscalculated" the risks involved in the project, leading to significant losses."

What are some alternatives to "miscalculated"?

Alternatives to "miscalculated" include "misjudged", "misestimated", or "underestimated", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "miscalculated" and "misjudged"?

"Miscalculated" typically refers to a specific error in numerical or quantitative assessment, while "misjudged" refers to a broader error in overall assessment or evaluation.

Which is correct: "They miscalculated the cost" or "They misjudged the cost"?

Both are correct, but they imply different things. "They "miscalculated the cost"" suggests a mathematical error in determining the cost. "They "misjudged the cost"" suggests an error in evaluating what the cost would be, possibly due to overlooking certain factors.