play mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "play mistake" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to an error made during a game or performance, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "During the rehearsal, I made a play mistake that affected the overall performance."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When Havel was released the following year, he returned the honour by dedicating a play, Mistake, to Beckett.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They could play mistake-free football, again.

The New York Times - Sports

If we play with confidence and play mistake-free football, we can be as good as anybody, but we have to play mistake-free to be that good".

The New York Times - Sports

Not only that, they said, but they still believe in one another and, if they execute correctly and play mistake-free football, they can win two in a row and, eventually, even make the playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

Michael Shannon, of Mr. Wright's play "Mistakes Were Made," completes the cast as an aggravated neighbor; Dexter Bullard (also a veteran of "Mistakes Were Made") is the director.

The New York Times

Dexter Bullard, who most recently collaborated with Mr. Wright and Mr. Shannon on the one-man Off Broadway play "Mistakes Were Made," will direct.

The New York Times

All the causes of wrongful convictions are at play: mistaken identifications, false confessions, police and prosecutorial misconduct, bad lawyers, junk forensic science.

The New York Times - Science

For instance, the fact that the D. H. H. character in this play mistakes a white man for being part Asian.

The New York Times

The theater now says it will complete its season by reducing its budget to $1.65 million from $2 million, and postponing the premiere of the play "Mistakes Were Made" by Craig Wright until next season.

The New York Times

In particular, Herder's representation of Kant's aesthetics as a pure theory of mental play mistakes Kant's initial analysis of the simplest form of natural beauty for his whole theory of natural and artistic beauty.

SEP

We must play mistake-free football and try to control their offense". Edison last played two weeks ago.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing errors, specify the type of activity where the mistake occurred to provide context. For example, use "misplay a hand" when referring to card games or "flub a play" for theater or sports.

Common error

Avoid using "play mistake" in formal writing or general contexts. This phrase lacks precision; instead, use more descriptive terms like "commit error" or "make a blunder" to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "play mistake" functions as a verb-noun combination, where "play" acts as a verb (though unconventional in this context) and "mistake" as a noun. As Ludwig AI notes, it is not correct, suggesting it deviates from standard grammatical constructions. However, in specific instances, it attempts to denote an error made during an activity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

21%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "play mistake" appears in various sources, it is not considered grammatically correct and is used infrequently. As Ludwig AI underlines, it's better to use more standard alternatives like "make a mistake", "commit error", or more context-specific phrases such as "flub a play" or "misplay a hand". The phrase aims to communicate an error made during an activity, but its informality and potential for misunderstanding make it less suitable for formal or professional contexts. The authoritative sources where it is found are predominantly news and media outlets, further indicating its informal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commit error

Focuses on the action of making an error, suitable for formal contexts.

make blunder

Highlights a significant error, often implying carelessness.

err in performance

Specifies that the error occurred during a performance, adding clarity.

flub a play

Specifically refers to making a mistake in a theatrical or sports play.

misplay a hand

Indicates an error in games like cards or strategy scenarios.

execute poorly

Emphasizes the failure to perform an action correctly.

perform incorrectly

Highlights that a task was done the wrong way.

make a misstep

Suggests a small but noticeable error, often in a sequence of actions.

stumble in action

Implies a loss of smoothness or precision during an activity.

falter during activity

Suggests a brief hesitation or mistake that disrupts the flow of an activity.

FAQs

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

While not grammatically standard, you might use "play mistake" informally to describe an error during a performance or game. However, it's better to use more precise alternatives such as "commit error" or "make a blunder" for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "play mistake"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "err in performance", "flub a play" (if it's theatrical or sports-related), or "misplay a hand" (for games).

Which is correct, "play mistake" or "make a mistake"?

"Make a mistake" is the grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase. "Play mistake" is less common and may not be easily understood. Stick to established phrases for clear communication.

What's the difference between "play mistake" and "commit error"?

"Commit error" is a more formal and widely recognized way to describe making a mistake. "Play mistake" is not standard English and lacks the clarity and formality of "commit error".