most damaging error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most damaging error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an error that has significant negative consequences or impact in a particular context. Example: "The most damaging error in the report led to a loss of credibility for the entire project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Miami's most damaging error was in leaving Jets receiver Chansi Stuckey uncovered at the goal line, allowing him to catch Favre's all-or-nothing heave on a fourth-and-13 midway through the second quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

During his Mediterranean campaign, which started earlier than that of his opponents from the presidential majority union, the UMP, which runs the PACA, Le Pen said that one of Sarkozy's most damaging errors was to create an official permanent council to speak for all Islamic factions.

The Guardian

One of the most damaging errors a man can make during his divorce is to voluntarily move out of the marital home.

HuffPost

Yet the most damaging of the spate of unforced errors was surely the government-induced panic at the petrol pumps, which disrupted the daily lives of millions.

Independent

Most damaging among them is a Senate Intelligence Committee report, due this month, which is expected to single out errors made by the agency in its prewar judgments.

The New York Times

Among the many errors and periodic disasters of post-war policy in Iraq, that one - the most damaging of any course we might take - has been avoided.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not the most damaging Mitt-ism.

The Guardian

The most damaging is orthodox monetary policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Kaepernick was at his most damaging when he ran.

The New York Times - Sports

But perhaps most damaging is the demise of milkweed.

The New York Times

Most damaging is America's broken immigration system.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of an error, use "most damaging error" to emphasize the severity of its consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "most damaging error" for minor mistakes; reserve it for situations where the consequences are genuinely significant and far-reaching.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most damaging error" functions as a noun phrase where "error" is the head noun and "most damaging" acts as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. This construction highlights the significant negative impact of a particular mistake. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "most damaging error" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe a mistake with significant negative consequences. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academic discussions. When using this phrase, ensure the error genuinely warrants such a strong description to avoid exaggeration. Alternatives like "most detrimental mistake" or "gravest mistake" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Ludwig's analysis of authoritative sources shows that the phrase appears most frequently in news and scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most detrimental mistake

Replaces "damaging" with "detrimental" to emphasize a significantly harmful outcome.

most consequential error

Focuses on the significant results or effects stemming from the error.

biggest blunder

Substitutes "error" with "blunder", implying a foolish or careless mistake.

gravest mistake

Replaces "damaging" with "gravest" to stress the seriousness and potential consequences of the mistake.

most catastrophic fault

Emphasizes the disastrous nature of the error by using "catastrophic".

most ruinous oversight

Suggests the error was a critical failure to notice or prevent something, leading to ruinous results.

most devastating lapse

Uses "lapse" to imply a temporary failure in judgment, with devastating consequences.

critical failing

Highlights that the error represents a crucial deficiency or weakness.

primary source of failure

Shifts focus to the error as the main reason for an unsuccessful outcome.

key mistake

Simplifies the phrase to highlight the significance of the error.

FAQs

How can I use "most damaging error" in a sentence?

Use "most damaging error" to describe a mistake with severe consequences, for example: "The "most damaging error" in the report led to the project's failure."

What phrases are similar to "most damaging error"?

Similar phrases include "most detrimental mistake", "biggest blunder", and "gravest mistake" depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is "most damaging error" formal or informal?

"Most damaging error" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the seriousness of the situation being described.

When is it appropriate to use "most damaging error" versus "minor mistake"?

Use "most damaging error" when the mistake has significant negative impacts. Opt for "minor mistake" when the consequences are minimal and easily rectified.