significant mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

'significant mistake' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a mistake that has a serious or important consequence. For example, "The company made a significant mistake that cost them a large amount of money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"They felt like it was a significant mistake on my part.

The New York Times

When Steve Davis made his first significant mistake in the eighth frame, it seemed irrelevant.

The Guardian

Woods played steady through Amen Corner, the only player to that point without a significant mistake.

The New York Times - Sports

The second and perhaps more significant mistake was believing that it was the project leader's role to make that decision.

Harvard Business Review

Both Ian Katz, the G2 Editor, and Emma Brockes agreed that a significant mistake had been made.

The Guardian

It is necessary to use a correction, clarification or editor's note to inform readers whenever we correct a significant mistake.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

I made significant mistakes.

Harvard Business Review

Have there been significant mistakes made along the way?

The New York Times

Significant mistakes will be exposed by the experiments of others.

The Economist

Even the most successful candidate inevitably makes significant mistakes.

The New York Times

A number of significant mistakes need to be recognised and rectified.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant mistake", ensure the context clearly indicates the impact or consequences of the mistake. This adds weight and relevance to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "significant mistake" vaguely. Always provide context or details about the mistake's impact, or it can sound like an empty criticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant mistake" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to identify and categorize an error or fault that carries substantial weight or consequence, as affirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant mistake" is a commonly used phrase to highlight an error that carries considerable weight or consequence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, business, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "major error" or "serious blunder" exist, "significant mistake" offers a balanced tone suitable for various professional and formal communications. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly emphasizes the impact of the mistake to maximize its communicative effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major error

Emphasizes the magnitude of the error, similar to "significant mistake".

serious blunder

Highlights the gravity and carelessness associated with the mistake.

grave error

Indicates a severe and critical mistake with potentially far-reaching consequences.

critical oversight

Focuses on the aspect of neglect or failure to notice something important.

notable lapse

Draws attention to a temporary failure in judgment or behavior that is worth mentioning.

substantial miscalculation

Highlights an error in judgment or estimation that has important consequences.

considerable failing

Focuses on a shortcoming or deficiency that is significant.

large screw-up

Offers a more informal way to describe a significant error.

terrible error

Indicates the error is awful or unpleasant.

big mistake

More general phrasing for a mistake that is significant.

FAQs

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

You can use "significant mistake" to describe an error with notable consequences. For example, "The company's failure to invest in new technology was a "significant mistake" that led to a loss of market share."

What phrases are similar to "significant mistake"?

Alternatives include "major error", "serious blunder", and "grave error", each carrying a slightly different nuance depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "significant mistake" and "big mistake"?

"Significant mistake" implies a mistake with important or serious consequences, while "big mistake" is a more general term for a large or noticeable error, regardless of its impact.

When is it appropriate to use "significant mistake" instead of "error"?

Use "significant mistake" when you want to emphasize the substantial impact or importance of the mistake. Simply using "error" is more neutral and doesn't highlight the consequences as strongly.