personal error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal error" is correct and usable in written English.
You would typically use it when referring to a mistake that someone has made due to lack of knowledge or concentration. For example, you could say, "He made a personal error when filling out his tax forms, and now he must pay a penalty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But the consequences of an intentional attack or a personal error are usually negative.

The New York Times - Sports

He also said he had made a personal error of judgment in accepting the British government's invitation to be an economic envoy to Libya.

The Guardian

But Mr. Romney's campaign suffered a setback when the Rev. Donald J. Wilton, pastor of a Spartanburg church and immediate past president of the state's Southern Baptist convention, suddenly withdrew his endorsement this week, calling it a "personal error".

The New York Times

The leaders of Israel and the Palestinians faced deep dissension in their constituencies on Wednesday, with Yasir Arafat making a rare admission of personal error to those seeking change, and Ariel Sharon suffering a rebuff from his own party.

The New York Times

She demanded more prima facie evidence of wrongdoing than her critics thought necessary.In this section A little draft difficulty Janet Reno's roughest patch Cutting the cookie So much to do, so little time Bill Bradley's second wind Even campers grow old New York, New York (Act II) Neon in the Delta ReprintsSuch conflicts suggest there is more to Ms Reno's troubles than personal error.

The Economist

The results showed that personal error impacted both accuracy and precision of test greatly.

Progress in Natural Science: Materials International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Reading from a written statement, Mr. Lugo acknowledged "personal errors" and portrayed himself as a "father who is prepared to share his love and care".

The New York Times

Among the various types of error that must be taken into account are errors of observation (which include instrumental errors, personal errors, systematic errors, and random errors), errors of sampling, and direct and indirect errors (in which one erroneous measurement is used in computing other measurements).

Encyclopedia Britannica

They had not specifically said that they would hold up each other's flaws to the most rigorous scrutiny, calling out each other's smallest mistakes, like fact checkers, believing, perhaps, that the marriage would thrive only if all personal errors and misdeeds were rooted out of it.

The New Yorker

In addition, duplicate analyses were used, i.e., measure each sample twice under the same conditions to remove any errors during chemical analysis and to remove any personal errors.

Applied Water Science

It is demonstrated that the system entails many advantages such as being fully automated, and besides being characterised by rapidity, ease of operation and robustness, it is less prone to risks of contamination and personal errors as encountered in traditional batch systems.

Analytica Chimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing errors in professional settings, use "personal error" to clearly indicate that the mistake stemmed from an individual's action rather than a systemic issue.

Common error

Avoid attributing systemic failures solely to "personal error". Investigate underlying processes to identify contributing factors beyond individual mistakes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal error" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a mistake or fault attributable to an individual. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "personal error" is a grammatically sound and usable term that denotes a mistake attributable to an individual. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is employed when specifying that an error stems from an individual's actions rather than systemic issues. While the phrase appears less frequently than other common expressions, its usage spans across various domains, including news, scientific research, and encyclopedic entries. The contexts in which "personal error" is used often involve assigning accountability or analyzing the causes of mistakes. When communicating about errors, especially in professional settings, using "personal error" can provide clarity and precision about the source and nature of the mistake.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

individual mistake

Replaces "error" with "mistake", focusing on the individual's action.

my own mistake

Directly acknowledges the mistake as belonging to the speaker.

mistake on my part

Specifies the error as one's own responsibility.

personal failing

Emphasizes the personal responsibility and shortcoming involved.

human error

Highlights that the error is due to human fallibility.

fault of my own

Emphasizes the accountability for the error.

individual blunder

Substitutes "error" with a stronger term, "blunder", for a more significant mistake.

personal oversight

Highlights the aspect of neglecting something important.

error of judgment

Focuses on the flawed decision-making process that led to the mistake.

lapse in judgment

Focuses on the flawed decision-making process leading to the error.

FAQs

How can I use "personal error" in a sentence?

You can use "personal error" to describe a mistake made by an individual. For example: "The project's delay was attributed to a "personal error" by one of the team members".

What's the difference between "personal error" and "systemic error"?

"Personal error" refers to a mistake made by an individual, while "systemic error" indicates a flaw within a system or process.

What can I say instead of "personal error"?

You can use alternatives like "individual mistake", "personal failing", or "lapse in judgment" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "personal error" in a formal setting?

Yes, "personal error" is suitable for formal settings when accurately describing a mistake made by an individual. However, ensure the tone remains professional and objective.