serious mistakes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious mistakes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe errors that have significant consequences or implications. Example: "The report was filled with serious mistakes that could lead to major financial losses for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Serious mistakes were made".

The Economist

Does David Brooks not admit serious mistakes?

The New York Times

Cutting corners can lead to serious mistakes.

The Guardian

"The police made serious mistakes which were unacceptable," he said.

Independent

"But he also made serious mistakes and disgraced our profession.

The New York Times

But despite best of intentions, we made very serious mistakes.

Independent

She had three serious mistakes, which amount to a failure.

The New York Times

Yes, they stumbled because of serious problems and serious mistakes.

The New York Times

How could these serious mistakes have been made?

The New York Times

He presents a pope who made serious mistakes in early life but repented deeply for them.

The Economist

But the prime minister concluded that "serious mistakes" had been made.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serious mistakes" to underscore the need for corrective action or preventive measures.

Common error

Avoid using "serious mistakes" when minor errors are being described. This can dilute the impact of the phrase and create a perception of exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious mistakes" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "serious" modifies the noun "mistakes". It is used to describe errors that have significant consequences or implications. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious mistakes" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe consequential errors. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a noun phrase and is widely used across various contexts, especially in News & Media. Alternatives such as ""grave errors"" or ""critical errors"" can be used to add nuance, but "serious mistakes" remains a versatile and effective choice. It's important to provide context when discussing "serious mistakes" to clearly convey the severity and impact of the errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave errors

Emphasizes the weighty and impactful nature of the errors.

critical errors

Highlights the importance of the errors in causing significant problems.

major blunders

Suggests significant and embarrassing errors.

severe errors

Indicates the errors are harsh or extreme in their consequences.

significant errors

Focuses on the notable and consequential aspect of the errors.

substantial errors

Highlights the considerable size or degree of the errors.

egregious errors

Suggests the errors are conspicuously bad or offensive.

serious faults

Replaces "mistakes" with "faults", indicating defects or imperfections leading to issues.

costly errors

Emphasizes the financial or other high costs resulting from the errors.

big slip-ups

An informal way to describe noticeable and important mistakes.

FAQs

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

You can use "serious mistakes" to describe errors that have significant consequences, for example: "The company made "serious mistakes" in its financial reporting, leading to a loss of investor confidence."

What are some alternatives to "serious mistakes"?

Alternatives include "grave errors", "critical errors", or "major blunders", depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is there a difference between "serious mistakes" and "minor errors"?

Yes, "serious mistakes" imply significant consequences or implications, while "minor errors" refer to small, inconsequential errors. Using "serious mistakes" when the errors are actually minor can be misleading.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "serious mistakes"?

Use "serious mistakes" when describing errors that have led to significant negative outcomes, such as financial losses, reputational damage, or legal repercussions. For example, "The project was delayed due to "serious mistakes" in the planning phase".