owing to an error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "owing to an error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to explain the reason for a situation or outcome that is a result of a mistake or oversight. Example: "The meeting was postponed owing to an error in scheduling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

This story was relaunched owing to an error in the headline.

The Guardian

The problem was "identified by the production team but owing to an error in the dubbing process, it was not corrected", reported the media regulator Ofcom.

The Guardian

The data from one participant in the standard multiple-choice plus confidence-judgment condition was also excluded from analysis, owing to an error in recording.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

To avoid false-negative results owing to an error during the procedure resulting in degraded RNAs, an internal control was established.

British Journal of Cancer

The Scottish League Cup winners discovered that the club website had disappeared on Saturday owing to an error by the web-hosting firm it uses, 123-reg.

The Guardian - Sport

Owing to an error in typesetting, the HTML publication online was the uncorrected version of this editorial.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

This had been omitted from the article owing to an editing error.

The Guardian

Editor's note: owing to an editorial error, this article was first published without its opening paragraph, now reinstated (at 16:00 on January 19 2008).

The Guardian - Opinion

But the iron-ore deals increase the risk that people will go on mistrusting their leaders.Correction: owing to an editing error, the first version of this article referred to a contingent of United Nations peacekeepers in Sierra Leone.

The Economist

This article was amended on 24 June 2015 to correct the main image, which was flipped owing to a production error.

The Guardian

The first episode is about a selfish American jerk, Eleanor (the elfin charmer Kristen Bell), who dies and goes to Heaven, owing to a bureaucratic error.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "owing to an error", ensure the error is clearly defined or easily understood from the context. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "owing to an error" is correct, it can sound overly formal in casual contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives like "due to a mistake" or "because of an error" for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "owing to an error" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a causal adjunct. It modifies a clause by indicating the reason or cause for the situation described in that clause. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "owing to an error" serves as a causal connector, explaining that something happened because of a mistake. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct. While it is acceptable and more formal than alternatives such as "due to a mistake" or "because of an error", it is primarily used in scientific and news contexts. The phrase should be used when the context warrants a formal tone and when clarity regarding the specific error is present. Avoid overusing it in casual conversations, where simpler language is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to a mistake

This alternative is more direct and uses simpler vocabulary.

because of an error

This alternative is a very common and straightforward substitute.

as a result of an error

This alternative is slightly more formal.

resulting from a mistake

This alternative emphasizes the consequence of the error.

on account of an error

This alternative sounds more formal and less common.

caused by an oversight

This alternative uses "oversight", suggesting the error was unintentional.

attributable to an error

This alternative is more technical and formal.

stemming from a fault

This alternative uses the word "fault", which implies blame.

through an inaccuracy

This alternative uses "inaccuracy", highlighting the lack of precision.

consequent to an error

This alternative is highly formal and less frequently used.

FAQs

What does "owing to an error" mean?

The phrase "owing to an error" means that something happened or occurred because of a mistake or fault. It's a formal way of saying "due to an error" or "because of an error".

How can I use "owing to an error" in a sentence?

You can use "owing to an error" to explain the reason for something that went wrong. For example: "The project was delayed "owing to an error" in the initial calculations."

What are some alternatives to "owing to an error"?

Some alternatives to "owing to an error" include "due to a mistake", "because of an error", or "as a result of an error". The choice depends on the context and level of formality you desire.

Is "owing to an error" more formal than "due to an error"?

Yes, "owing to an error" is generally considered more formal than "due to an error". The latter is more commonly used in everyday language.