miscalculations

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "miscalculations" is a perfectly legitimate word in written English.
You can use it when describing mistakes made in the calculation of something. For example: "The company suffered a loss due to miscalculations made in their financial estimates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Serious miscalculations could mean a further retreat into impoverished insularity in the rainy mists of the north Atlantic.

The Guardian

The shipment to Hizbullah of a balance-tipping new weapon, a skirmish on the Lebanese or increasingly volatile Gaza border any number of miscalculations could ignite a conflagration.From peace process to war processAll of this should give new urgency to Arab-Israeli peacemaking.

The Economist

Indeed, the financial crash and American clumsiness and miscalculations, especially under George Bush, have shown up liberal democracy as an unsightly blend of ideology and hypocrisy.That may be an accurate description of popular belief in some areas of the world, though in India, parts of Africa and eastern Europe, Mr Bush was a lot more popular than he was in western Europe and the Arab world.

The Economist

Likewise, today's financial engineers never imagined their miscalculations could result in a global recession.The question is can we afford the trial-and-error period?

The Economist

But Cancún's failure goes deeper than miscalculations on timing.

The Economist

Mr Blair has been weakened by a long series of misfortunes and miscalculations, culminating last week in a parliamentary revolt against his anti-terror bill.

The Economist

Mr Bush may not have consciously lied, but, egged on by Mr Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, he made dreadful miscalculations.

The Economist

With India and Pakistan in a hair-trigger confrontation over Kashmir, the sequence of miscalculations that propelled the Middle East into war 35 years ago looks newly relevant.Mr Oren argues that neither Israel nor Egypt wanted war.

The Economist

Reprints Related items The oil market: The central bank intervenesJan 16th 2003If Mr Naimi is now on the way out, it is unlikely to be as punishment for the short-term miscalculations that have produced the present glut of oil in world markets.

The Economist

If indeed the diplomats can halt the shelling, the nuclear-tipped miscalculations that got India and Pakistan into this crisis offer an opportunity to tackle some of the wider regional suspicions that make South Asia such a dangerous place.Outsiders cannot sort out the Kashmir problem.

The Economist

The country has been devastated, in good part thanks to the miscalculations of America and its Western allies.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of "miscalculations", quantify the consequences to emphasize their significance. For example, "The project's failure was due to severe cost miscalculations, resulting in a $2 million loss."

Common error

Avoid using "miscalculations" when the error stems from a lack of due diligence or outright negligence. "Miscalculations" imply an honest mistake in calculation, whereas negligence suggests a failure to exercise reasonable care.

Linguistic Context

The term "miscalculations" primarily functions as a plural noun, referring to multiple instances of incorrect calculations. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, highlighting its role in attributing causes to negative outcomes, such as financial losses or strategic failures. Ludwig AI confirms this is a perfectly legitimate English word.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "miscalculations" is a commonly used plural noun that refers to errors in calculation. As Ludwig examples show, it's frequently used to explain the causes of negative outcomes in diverse domains, ranging from finance and politics to strategic planning. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is perfectly valid in English writing. Its register is primarily neutral to formal, lending itself to objective analyses across different contexts. While it appears most frequently in News & Media, it is also common in Encyclopedias, and is less frequent in Business contexts. To ensure precise writing, it's important to differentiate it from related terms like negligence and understand its implications in attributing cause and effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erroneous calculations

This alternative emphasizes the incorrectness of the calculations themselves.

misjudgments

This term generally refers to poor decisions or incorrect evaluations.

faulty estimations

This alternative highlights the flaws in the estimation process.

incorrect assessments

This phrase focuses on the inaccuracy of the evaluation or judgment made.

inaccurate projections

This alternative refers specifically to errors in forecasting or predicting outcomes.

numerical errors

This phrase directly points to mistakes in numerical computations.

judgment errors

This alternative shifts the focus to errors in decision-making or evaluation.

strategic blunders

This alternative suggests significant mistakes in planning or strategy.

analytical oversights

This phrase emphasizes the neglect of important analytical factors.

predictive failures

This alternative underscores the lack of success in forecasting future events.

FAQs

How can I use "miscalculations" in a sentence?

You can use "miscalculations" to describe errors in calculations or estimations. For example, "The company's financial losses were attributed to several key "miscalculations"."

What's the difference between "miscalculations" and "errors"?

"Miscalculations" specifically refer to mistakes in calculation, while "errors" is a more general term for mistakes of any kind. All "miscalculations" are "errors", but not all "errors" are "miscalculations".

What can I say instead of "miscalculations"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "erroneous calculations", "faulty estimations", or "judgment errors".

Are "miscalculations" always unintentional?

Yes, "miscalculations" generally imply unintentional mistakes in the calculation process. If errors are made deliberately, terms like "fraud" or "manipulation" would be more appropriate.