serious blunder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious blunder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant mistake or error that has serious consequences. Example: "The company's decision to ignore the warning signs was a serious blunder that ultimately led to their downfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Finally, in 1254 Henry made a serious blunder.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A serious blunder by unions, managements or politicians could make an election impact.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We have to express our apologies for this serious blunder," Herzog said.

The Guardian - Opinion

Reagan began to respond with mistakes, and one of them was a particularly serious blunder.

The New York Times - Books

With hindsight the Fed's fixation on core inflation was a serious blunder which kept it in denial, says Mr Roach.

The Economist

"They taught me that Emerson, Lake and Palmer were brilliant," he blurts, before realising he has made a serious blunder.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Our own state has made some serious blunders in this area - always with the best possible intentions, of course.

The Guardian - Opinion

What fresh revelatory nuggets Sir John and the gang tease from Mr Blair will be conflated into front-page headlines, but expect no serious blunders from him.

Independent

The rebel army had its share of inept and contentious officers, but few made as many serious blunders as the so-called "Fighting Bishop".

The New York Times

The video was for a charity event, but it will go down as one of the more serious blunders of the season.

The New York Times - Sports

Future generations will view the misguided policies and priorities of the Bush administration as among the darker and more serious blunders in our history.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serious blunder", ensure the context clearly illustrates the negative consequences or impact of the mistake. Provide specific details to emphasize the seriousness of the error.

Common error

Avoid using "serious blunder" for minor errors or insignificant mistakes. Reserve this phrase for situations where the consequences are truly significant and far-reaching.

Linguistic Context

"Serious blunder" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object or subject complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. It's used to identify and categorize a significant mistake.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious blunder" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a significant mistake with notable negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in written English. It frequently appears in News & Media, encyclopedias and on Wikipedia, highlighting its role in critically assessing events and decisions. While various alternatives exist, such as "grave error" or "major mistake", the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. When using "serious blunder", ensure that the context clearly underscores the significant impact of the described error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave error

Emphasizes the weight and potential consequences of the mistake.

major mistake

Highlights the substantial impact of the error.

significant error

Indicates the importance and potential repercussions of the mistake.

critical error

Stresses the crucial nature of the error and its potential to cause failure.

egregious mistake

Emphasizes the shocking or outstandingly bad nature of the error.

terrible mistake

Highlights the unfortunate and regrettable aspect of the error.

costly mistake

Focuses on the negative financial or practical consequences of the error.

grievous mistake

Implies that the mistake has caused significant pain or suffering.

catastrophic error

Suggests an error with disastrous consequences.

monumental error

Emphasizes the exceptionally large scale of the mistake.

FAQs

How can I use "serious blunder" in a sentence?

You can use "serious blunder" to describe a grave mistake with significant consequences. For example: "Ignoring the expert's advice proved to be a "serious blunder" that cost the company millions."

What are some alternatives to saying "serious blunder"?

Alternatives to "serious blunder" include "grave error", "major mistake", or "significant error" depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "serious blunder" formal or informal?

"Serious blunder" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the severity of the error being described than the setting.

What makes a mistake a "serious blunder"?

A mistake becomes a "serious blunder" when it leads to significant negative consequences, such as financial losses, reputational damage, or strategic setbacks. The impact of the error determines its classification as a "serious blunder".