our mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "our mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to acknowledge an error or oversight made by yourself or your group. Example: "We apologize for the confusion caused by the incorrect information; it was our mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Apologies for our mistake.

The Economist

This was our mistake.

The New Yorker

"Not our mistake," he said.

The New York Times

That was our mistake.

The Guardian

VLADIMIR: (studying documents) Our mistake.

The New York Times

Though in retrospect, our mistake was predictable.

The New York Times

In the end, this was our mistake".

The Guardian - Tech

Our mistake was an honest one.

The New York Times

"Maybe that was our mistake," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"That was our mistake," General Mohamed said.

The New York Times

"It was our mistake," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When acknowledging "our mistake", be specific about what went wrong and how you plan to prevent it in the future. This shows accountability and a commitment to improvement.

Common error

Don't just say "our mistake" without providing context or taking responsibility. A vague apology can come across as insincere and unhelpful. Always specify what the mistake was and what steps are being taken to rectify it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our mistake" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to identify or describe something that is wrong. Ludwig indicates the phrase is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "our mistake" is a versatile and commonly used expression for acknowledging errors, as supported by Ludwig's extensive database. It functions as a noun phrase and is appropriate for various registers, with a prevalence in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, it's best practice to provide context and offer solutions when admitting "our mistake". Alternatives like "our error" or "our fault" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread usage, making it a reliable choice for expressing accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our error

A more formal and direct substitute. It emphasizes the factual incorrectness of the action.

our fault

Indicates responsibility and blame more directly. It suggests that the problem arose from negligence.

our oversight

Suggests the mistake was due to a failure to notice or consider something. Less accusatory.

we were wrong

A simple and straightforward admission of error. It places the focus on the people making the error.

our blunder

Implies a careless or stupid mistake. It is a stronger and slightly more informal way of saying "our mistake".

we messed up

An informal admission of a mistake. Commonly used in casual conversation.

our misjudgment

Suggests the mistake stemmed from a flawed assessment or decision. Focuses on the decision-making process.

our slip-up

Implies a minor or unintentional mistake. It downplays the significance of the error.

the buck stops with us

Accepts ultimate responsibility for a mistake, even if not directly caused by those taking responsibility.

we dropped the ball

An idiomatic way of saying a mistake was made through negligence, usually implying a failure to continue a task successfully. Very informal.

FAQs

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

You can use "our mistake" to acknowledge an error made by a group or yourself. For example, "The delay was "our mistake", and we are working to rectify the issue."

What's a more formal way to say "our mistake"?

A more formal alternative is "our error". This phrase is suitable for professional communications where precision is valued.

Is it appropriate to use "our mistake" in a professional setting?

Yes, it's appropriate to use "our mistake" in a professional context when acknowledging a shared error. However, ensure you also offer a solution or plan to prevent future occurrences. Being honest and solution-oriented is essential.

What is the difference between "our mistake" and "our fault"?

"Our mistake" is a general acknowledgment of an error. "Our fault" implies direct responsibility or blame. Choose the phrase that best reflects the situation.