preventable mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preventable mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an error that could have been avoided with proper care or attention. Example: "The project failed due to a preventable mistake that could have been easily avoided with better planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But I knew it happened, that it was an easily preventable mistake, and, in journalism, being wrong in that way is absolutely unacceptable.

Huffington Post

If you work everything out in your head, you could lose track of your work and make a preventable mistake.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Lieberman said about 100,000 Americans died each year from preventable mistakes, at a cost of $29 billion.

The New York Times

The employers' group was formed last year after a study by the Institute of Medicine unit of the National Academy of Sciences said at least 44,000 hospital patients died each year because of preventable mistakes.

The New York Times

That said, I would happily endorse the proposed Medicare policy change, if we as taxpayers could hold our government and military to the same standards and refuse to pay for any of their "preventable" mistakes.

The New York Times

Published by the Institute of Medicine, "To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System" estimated that as many as 98,000 people died in hospitals each year as a result of preventable mistakes.

The New York Times - Health

"We are concerned that we find ourselves helping hundreds of thousands of people each year who come to a Trussell Trust foodbank simply because government departments make avoidable, preventable mistakes".

Independent

Hundreds of hospital patients have suffered basic, preventable mistakes that should "never" happen in the NHS during the last four years including having surgical instruments left inside them and operations being carried out on the wrong body part, figures suggest.

Independent

Every business traveler has his or her own disaster story, tales of endless delays, canceled flights, passenger captivity (remember JetBlue's 10-hour fiasco in 2007?), preventable mistakes (overflowing toilets) and, in many instances, thousands of dollars in lost income and opportunity.

The New York Times

More than 750 patients have suffered after preventable mistakes in England's hospitals over the past four years, a BBC investigation has found.

BBC

Instead, we need to inject some science in the way we go about everyday life because if one merely keeps following his instincts, he will continue making the same (preventable) mistakes.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preventable mistake", clearly identify the factors that would have prevented the error to emphasize the importance of proactive measures.

Common error

Avoid assuming every mistake is easily preventable. Acknowledge the complexity of situations where mistakes occur, even with precautions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preventable mistake" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "preventable" modifies the noun "mistake". It is typically used to describe errors that could have been avoided. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preventable mistake" is grammatically correct and functions as a noun phrase used to describe avoidable errors. According to Ludwig AI, it is acceptable for use in written English. While its occurrence is uncommon, it finds relevance across various contexts, prominently in news and media, science, and wiki sources. When seeking alternative phrasing, consider options like "avoidable error" or "correctable oversight" to convey similar meaning. When using this phrase, ensure that you highlight possible prevention actions to avoid generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoidable error

Emphasizes the possibility of circumventing the error.

easily avoided mistake

Highlights the simplicity of avoiding the mistake.

correctable oversight

Focuses on the ability to rectify the mistake.

remediable blunder

Highlights the potential for correcting the significant mistake.

unnecessary error

Focuses on the lack of need for the mistake.

actionable mistake

Underscores that there are actions that can be taken to deal with the mistake.

rectifiable mistake

Refers to the possibility of fixing the error.

mitigatable error

Focuses on reducing the severity of the error.

manageable error

Emphasizes that the error can be handled or controlled.

circumventable mistake

Stresses the possibility of avoiding the mistake by changing the course of action.

FAQs

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

You can use "preventable mistake" to describe an error that could have been avoided. For example: "The project failed due to a "preventable mistake" that could have been easily avoided with better planning."

What are some alternatives to "preventable mistake"?

Alternatives include "avoidable error", "correctable oversight", or "remediable blunder", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "preventable error" or "preventable mistake"?

Both "preventable error" and "preventable mistake" are correct. The choice depends on the context; "error" might sound more formal, while "mistake" is generally more casual.

What makes a mistake "preventable"?

A mistake is "preventable" if it could have been avoided through better planning, foresight, attention to detail, or adherence to established procedures.