real error

USAGE SUMMARY

'real error' is used in written English and is often used in the fields of academia and business.
For example: Despite our best efforts, 5% of the transactions were identified as real errors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The real error here isn't that the wrong piece was run.

The New York Times

Perhaps the real error was by righty for not playing the queen on the second round.

The New York Times

It makes me wonder why Berliners didn't save come of the Wall; a real error don't you think?

The Guardian

The real error of the court's federalism decisions is that "the states are permitted to act unjustly" behind the shield of sovereign immunity.

The New York Times - Books

The real error is that The Times published a piece about Islamic law by someone who has no apparent expertise in the field.

The New York Times

He and other officials contended that his real error had been in falling out with Mr. Jiang, said Mr. Yao, the retired official.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Clinton refused to admit any real errors.

The New York Times

"Those are real errors, and this is not about art history.

The New Yorker

"There are some real errors, of omission and commission, and it's not going to be a pretty picture".

The New York Times

Her critics, most of them Chinese immigrants, picked apart her story, and, though they found a few real errors, most of their criticism was highly speculative.

The New York Times

"We made some real errors in thinking that it would be like Desert Storm and we would just hold prisoners of war for a period of time and we'd release them".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "real error", ensure the context clarifies what makes it a 'real' error versus a perceived or theoretical one. Provide specific details or examples to support the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "real error" to describe minor inaccuracies or subjective disagreements. Save the term for instances where the mistake has tangible consequences or demonstrable inaccuracies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "real error" functions as a noun phrase where "real" is an adjective modifying the noun "error". It emphasizes that the error is not hypothetical or perceived but a concrete and verifiable mistake. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is used in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

56%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "real error" is a frequently used phrase across various domains, especially in news and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase implies that the error is genuine, verifiable, and has tangible consequences. While generally neutral in tone, its usage emphasizes the significance of the mistake and distinguishes it from mere oversights. When using "real error", ensure the mistake is indeed significant and backed by evidence. Be mindful to avoid overstating its importance for minor issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actual mistake

Emphasizes that the mistake genuinely happened, not just a potential one.

factual inaccuracy

Focuses specifically on errors relating to incorrect facts or data.

clear inaccuracy

Emphasizes the easiness of identifying error.

palpable mistake

Highlights the clear or obvious nature of error.

genuine blunder

Highlights the seriousness and often the obviousness of the mistake.

verifiable error

Highlights that the error can be confirmed and proven true.

serious oversight

Underlines that the error resulted from failing to notice or consider something important.

major flaw

Indicates that the error significantly undermines the quality or effectiveness of something.

legitimate error

Points out that the error is acceptable or justifiable under certain circumstances.

critical defect

Highlights a significant shortcoming or imperfection in a system or process.

FAQs

What does "real error" mean?

A "real error" refers to a mistake that is genuine, verifiable, and has tangible consequences, as opposed to a perceived or theoretical error.

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

You can use "real error" to emphasize the significance of a mistake. For example: "The investigation revealed a "real error" in the financial records."

What are some alternatives to "real error"?

Alternatives to "real error" include "factual inaccuracy", "actual mistake", or "genuine blunder", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "real error" versus "mistake"?

Use "real error" when you want to emphasize the severity and verifiability of the mistake. "Mistake" is a more general term, while "real error" implies a more significant problem.