pivotal error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pivotal error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant mistake that has a major impact on a situation or outcome. Example: "The team's failure to communicate effectively led to a pivotal error in the project, resulting in costly delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Rex Tillerson, Exxon's chief executive, appears already to have side-stepped Conoco's pivotal error: timing.

The New York Times

The winning pitcher on Saturday was Matt Chico, and Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz made a pivotal error.

The New York Times - Sports

While the C.I.A. made the pivotal error that misdirected the bombs, military commanders failed to review the agency's target selection adequately.

The New York Times

Pujols had been heavily criticized for failing to speak with reporters after Game 2, when he was hitless and made a pivotal error in a Cardinals loss.

The New York Times - Sports

Ten years before that, in Game 3 of the 1983 World Series, a ball skipped on the wet artificial turf and eluded shortstop Iván DeJesús for a pivotal error in a loss to Baltimore.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Tavernier was harshly judged to have tripped Hayes and Maddison ensured referee John Beaton's error proved pivotal as he swept his stunning set-piece past Foderingham with the help of the upright.

The Guardian - Sport

Texas Tech overcame several mental errors, including pivotal penalties and a fumble, to come back from a 28-14 fourth-quarter deficit.

The New York Times - Sports

Clinicians cite fear of repercussions as a pivotal obstacle to reporting errors and unsafe practices, though nurses and physicians appear to experience these fears differently.

BMC Health Services Research

Error-correcting code is a pivotal ingredient of the DF cooperative relay system.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

It was further assumed that every positive PoC trial would result in a phase 3 pivotal trial with type I and type II error rates fixed according to health authority requirements.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

Recognition of pivotal imaging pearls and diagnostic pitfalls avoids interpretation errors.

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pivotal error", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the significant impact of the error on the outcome. Be specific about the consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "pivotal error" for minor mistakes that have little to no impact on the final outcome. Reserve this phrase for errors with substantial and demonstrable consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pivotal error" functions as a noun phrase, where "pivotal" modifies "error". It indicates a mistake of significant importance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Sports

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pivotal error" denotes a significant mistake with major consequences. While grammatically correct and confirmed usable by Ludwig AI, it's relatively rare. The phrase appears primarily in news, sports, and scientific contexts. When using "pivotal error", it's essential to ensure the context clearly demonstrates the significant impact of the error. Ludwig offers alternatives like "critical mistake" or "crucial blunder" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical mistake

Replaces "error" with "mistake"; "critical" maintains the sense of importance.

crucial blunder

"Crucial" and "blunder" both imply a significant and consequential mistake.

decisive error

"Decisive" highlights the impact of the error on the final outcome.

game-changing mistake

Emphasizes the transformative impact of the mistake on the overall situation.

significant error

"Significant" points to the magnitude and importance of the mistake.

major lapse

"Lapse" indicates a temporary failure or error, and "major" emphasizes its severity.

key mistake

"Key" highlights that error is of great importance to the outcome.

fundamental flaw

"Flaw" suggests an inherent weakness or defect that leads to the error, and "fundamental" points at significance of the error.

turning-point error

Emphasizes the error as a point where the situation changed significantly.

central mistake

"Central" highlights the error's importance to the situation.

FAQs

How to use "pivotal error" in a sentence?

Use "pivotal error" to describe a mistake that significantly alters the course of events or outcomes. For example, "The company's "pivotal error" in marketing led to a major loss in sales".

What are some alternatives to "pivotal error"?

Alternatives include "critical mistake", "crucial blunder", or "decisive error". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What makes an error "pivotal"?

An error is "pivotal" when it has a turning-point effect, substantially influencing the direction or outcome of a situation. It's not just any mistake, but one with significant consequences.

Is "pivotal error" formal or informal language?

"Pivotal error" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but its impact is strongest in formal writing where precision is valued. You might use it in news articles, reports, or analytical essays.