serious misjudgment

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

That is a serious misjudgment.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Serious misjudgment," said Keith Vaz, the committee chairman.

The Guardian

Introducing a mask law would be a serious misjudgment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Political campaigns that do not recognize this are making a serious misjudgment".

The New York Times

But it is hard to like her refusal to admit any serious misjudgment.

The Economist

It was a serious misjudgment by Downing Street to start down this legislative road.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Notwithstanding my years of hard work, I acknowledge that I have made serious misjudgments and mistakes.

The New York Times

This uneasiness, many friends and associates believed, caused him to crave affection from his employees in a way that sometimes led to serious misjudgments.

The New York Times

The Treasury inspector general, who investigated these actions for months, testified again today that he found no criminal violations, and that the serious misjudgments by agency employees was the result of improper training.

The New York Times

"Too many of our soldiers are paying the highest price for the strategic miscalculations, serious misjudgments and historic mistakes that have put them and our nation in harm's way," Mr. Gore said.

The New York Times

These were not the actions of a brainwashed people.Related items Boris YeltsinApr 26th 2007 European banking consolidation: BraveheartApr 26th 2007 Tigers: Market failureApr 19th 2007 Royal Navy: Sunset seasApr 19th 2007 Bacteria and depression: Bad is goodApr 4th 2007Mr Gorbachev combined great political courage with serious misjudgments.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives such as "grave error in judgement" or "critical error in assesment" to enhance the gravity.

Common error

Avoid using "serious misjudgment" as a vague criticism. Provide concrete details about what constituted the misjudgment and why it was significant to strengthen your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious misjudgment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a specific instance of flawed decision-making. Ludwig indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious misjudgment" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a significant error in decision-making. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts. While versatile, writers should be mindful of the context and impact of this phrase. As revealed by Ludwig, the phrase is primarily used in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. Consider using stronger alternatives for more formal or impactful writing to better convey the gravity of the error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave error of judgment

Emphasizes the severity and significance of the error.

critical error in assessment

Highlights the flaw in the evaluation or analysis process.

severe lapse in judgment

Focuses on a temporary failure to make a sound decision.

major blunder

Implies a careless or foolish mistake with significant consequences.

significant oversight

Underscores the failure to notice or consider something important.

costly mistake

Highlights the negative consequences or financial implications of the error.

bad call

An informal way to describe a poor decision.

faulty reasoning

Focuses on the flawed logic or rationale behind the decision.

miscalculation of risks

Highlights an incorrect assessment of potential dangers or drawbacks.

strategic misstep

Highlights the flawed strategic decision.

FAQs

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

You can use "serious misjudgment" to describe a significant error in decision-making. For example, "The company's failure to anticipate market changes was a "serious misjudgment" that led to significant losses."

What are some alternatives to "serious misjudgment"?

Alternatives include "grave error of judgment", "critical error in assessment", or "severe lapse in judgment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "serious misjudgment" formal or informal?

"Serious misjudgment" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but more formal alternatives like "grave error of judgment" may be preferred in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "serious misjudgment" and a simple "mistake"?

A "serious misjudgment" implies a significant error in decision-making with substantial consequences, whereas a "mistake" can refer to any error, regardless of its severity or impact.