serious miscalculation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious miscalculation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a significant error in judgment or calculation that has serious consequences. Example: "The team's decision to invest in that failing company was a serious miscalculation that cost them millions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

This was a serious miscalculation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was a serious miscalculation.

The New York Times

"The possibility of a serious miscalculation is not as great as a few days ago".

The New York Times

But a more serious miscalculation was choosing Hank Iba as the team's coach.

The New York Times - Sports

Nothing is more serious miscalculation than guessing that just a single movie production company is the target of this counteraction.

Independent

He called it a "serious miscalculation that will anger a lot of people and will be hard to undo".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

There were very serious miscalculations by many countries.

The Guardian

The report concluded that the fund made serious miscalculations and failed to anticipate the severity of Greece's economic downturn.

The New York Times

Serious miscalculations could mean a further retreat into impoverished insularity in the rainy mists of the north Atlantic.

The Guardian

We argue that uncertainty was a major factor in both periods of electoral rule design, so that political elites often made serious miscalculations of the effect of particular electoral rules on their own future success.

Electoral Studies

"It is impossible to review the record of the past year and not conclude that they have made repeated and serious miscalculations," said Mr. Obey, who has represented northern Wisconsin for 34 years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serious miscalculation" to underscore the gravity of an error in planning, judgment, or forecasting that leads to significant negative outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "serious miscalculation" for minor errors or inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the miscalculation has substantial consequences, preventing dilution of its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious miscalculation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "serious" modifies the noun "miscalculation", emphasizing the significance or severity of the error. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serious miscalculation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a significant error in judgment or planning that leads to negative consequences. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is usable in written English. The contexts it appears in most often are News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Academia. Alternatives to the phrase include "grave error" and "major blunder". Be sure to use it when describing errors that have substantial consequences and avoid overusing it for minor issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave error

Emphasizes the severity and potential consequences of the mistake.

major blunder

Highlights the clumsiness or carelessness of the mistake.

critical mistake

Stresses the importance and impact of the error.

significant oversight

Focuses on the neglect or failure to notice something important.

strategic misjudgment

Specifically refers to a poor decision in planning or strategy.

faulty assessment

Highlights the inaccuracy of an evaluation or judgment.

profound miscalculation

Amplifies the depth and extent of the miscalculation.

terrible misjudgment

Emphasizes the negative consequences of the judgment.

costly error

Directly points to the financial or other losses resulting from the error.

unfortunate miscalculation

Indicates the regrettable nature and consequences of the miscalculation.

FAQs

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

You can use "serious miscalculation" to describe a significant error in judgment or planning that leads to negative consequences. For example: "The company's failure to anticipate market demand was a "serious miscalculation" that resulted in substantial losses."

What are some alternatives to "serious miscalculation"?

Alternatives include "grave error", "major blunder", and "critical mistake". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "serious miscalculation" or "major miscalculation"?

Both "serious miscalculation" and "major miscalculation" are acceptable, but "serious" emphasizes the potential consequences more strongly. The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis.

What's the difference between "serious miscalculation" and "minor miscalculation"?

"Serious miscalculation" implies a significant error with substantial negative impact, while "minor miscalculation" suggests a small error with limited consequences.