severe mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severe mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mistake that has serious consequences or is of significant importance. Example: "The decision to ignore the warning signs was a severe mistake that cost the company millions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"That would be a severe mistake in a bad economy," Mr. Sullivan said.

The New York Times

"They will be making a severe mistake if they think an election campaign will affect how we carry out our foreign policy," the official said.

The New York Times

"Having not seen the details of the Roberts proposal, my reaction is that disbanding and scattering the Central Intelligence Agency at such a crucial time would be a severe mistake".

The New York Times

Not performing an autopsy of Ms. Bhutto "was a severe mistake, especially in the light of past problems with the murders of national leaders," because it will fuel speculation, said Dr. Michael M. Baden, who is a top forensic official for the New York State Police as well as a former New York City chief medical examiner.

The New York Times

A potentially severe mistake some of the rich and super-rich make is failing to ensure that their estate plans are current.

Forbes

Tribal Council: Jeff made the severe mistake of asking Powder Puff the Magic Dragonslayer a simple question, "Is that indicative of a tribe in trouble?" for which he received a simple-minded non-response: "I think that at the dawn of every morning, hope springs eternal".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

And now, for the umpteenth time, angels have flown into heaven and paid for the mistakes of other human beings, severe mistakes," he told the Associated Press.

The Guardian

According to the announcement of the charges, Bo "abused his power, made severe mistakes, and bore major responsibility" for the attempted defection of a powerful police chief and the murder of a British businessman (a crime for which his wife was convicted).

The New Yorker

Bo abused his power, made severe mistakes and bore major responsibility in the Wang Lijun incident and the intentional homicide case of Bogu Kailai.

BBC

It would be a terrible mistake, economically, for the United States to lurch, prematurely, to extreme austerity, to severe austerity.

The New York Times

Butler does admit to "a terrible mistake" in self-administering the same treatment to other horses, something that in itself invites a severe penalty.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severe mistake", consider the context to ensure the severity is accurately reflected. It's best suited for situations where the consequences are significant and readily apparent.

Common error

Avoid using "severe mistake" for trivial errors or oversights. Reserve it for instances where the consequences are genuinely serious to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe mistake" functions as a noun phrase, where "severe" is an adjective modifying the noun "mistake". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it describing actions or decisions with significant negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "severe mistake" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered expression used to describe errors with significant negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys the gravity of a situation, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business settings. Alternative expressions include "grave error", "critical blunder", and "serious misjudgment", each carrying unique connotations. When employing this phrase, ensure the severity accurately reflects the situation to maintain credibility. This phrase is often used to express disapproval regarding actions that result or may result in heavy consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Grave error

Emphasizes the serious and potentially far-reaching consequences of the error.

Critical blunder

Suggests a significant error that could have been avoided with better judgment or planning.

Serious misjudgment

Highlights the poor decision-making that led to the mistake, focusing on the faulty assessment of a situation.

Terrible oversight

Implies that the mistake occurred because something important was missed or not given enough attention.

Major fault

Indicates a significant flaw or failing that caused the problem.

Egregious lapse

Points to a strikingly bad or unacceptable failure in conduct or judgment.

Catastrophic error

Suggests that the mistake had extremely damaging or disastrous results.

Monumental screw-up

An informal way to describe a very large and impactful mistake.

Costly misstep

Highlights the financial or other significant costs associated with the mistake.

Damaging indiscretion

Suggests that the mistake was a result of poor judgment and has caused harm to someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "severe mistake" in a sentence?

You can use "severe mistake" to describe actions or decisions with significant negative consequences. For example: "Ignoring the safety protocols was a "severe mistake" that led to the accident".

What are some alternatives to "severe mistake"?

Alternatives include "grave error", "critical blunder", or "serious misjudgment", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it more appropriate to say "severe mistake" or "serious mistake"?

"Severe mistake" implies a higher degree of consequence than "serious mistake". Use "severe" when the impact is notably damaging or critical.

When is it best to use the phrase "severe mistake" over other similar phrases?

Use "severe mistake" when you want to emphasize not just the error itself, but the gravity and potential ramifications of that error. It highlights the potential for far-reaching negative effects.