serious error

USAGE SUMMARY

"serious error" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a mistake or fault that is significant or important, rather than a minor or insignificant one. Example: "The report contained a serious error in its calculations, which led to incorrect data being presented to the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A serious error.

The Guardian - Sport

That was a serious error.

The New York Times

"It was a serious error," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

I believe this isn't just a serious error of judgment.

The Guardian

Wang's 18... g6 was a more serious error.

The New York Times

"Certainly it was a serious error of judgment.

The Guardian

"We committed a serious error in 1996," Mr. Gusinsky said.

The New York Times

The committee said this was "a serious error of judgment".

The Guardian

"The FCA made a serious error in March last year.

The Guardian - Business

Radjabov made a serious error with 13... a5?

The New York Times

Mr Syson believes this to have been a serious error.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serious error", be specific about the nature and consequences of the mistake to emphasize its significance.

Common error

Avoid using "serious error" to describe trivial mistakes. Reserve it for situations where the error has significant ramifications or impacts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious error" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'serious' modifies the noun 'error'. Ludwig provides examples where it acts as the subject or object of a sentence, emphasizing the significance of the mistake.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious error" is a commonly used expression to describe a significant mistake with potential negative consequences. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to be specific about the nature and impact of the error. Alternatives such as "grave mistake" or "critical fault" can be used to convey similar meanings, but the choice depends on the intended nuance. It is important to differentiate this phrase from other related concepts, such as "oversight", which implies negligence. Finally it is crucial to avoid overusing the phrase for trivial things.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave mistake

Emphasizes the potential consequences or impact of the error.

critical fault

Highlights the fundamental nature of the error and its potential to cause failure.

major blunder

Suggests a significant mistake, often implying carelessness or lack of judgment.

significant oversight

Focuses on the error as a result of neglecting something important.

substantial defect

Indicates a considerable flaw or imperfection, particularly in a product or system.

egregious mistake

Highlights the conspicuous and shocking nature of the error.

critical lapse

Focuses on a temporary failure in judgment or attention leading to the error.

damaging error

Underscores the harmful effects resulting from the error.

costly mistake

Highlights the financial or resource-related consequences of the error.

fundamental flaw

Implies a deep-seated issue within a system or plan, leading to the error.

FAQs

How to use "serious error" in a sentence?

Use "serious error" to describe a mistake or fault that has significant consequences, such as "The miscalculation in the budget was a "serious error" that led to financial losses".

What can I say instead of "serious error"?

You can use alternatives like "grave mistake", "critical fault", or "major blunder" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "serious error" or "major mistake"?

Both ""serious error"" and "major mistake" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on personal preference or the specific context. They both imply that the error or mistake is significant and has important consequences.

What's the difference between "serious error" and "oversight"?

"Serious error" implies a significant mistake with notable consequences, while "oversight" suggests a mistake due to negligence or inattention. A serious error might be intentional or unintentional, but an oversight is usually unintentional.