small error

USAGE SUMMARY

"small error" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about a mistake that is minor or inconsequential. For example: "I made a small error in the spreadsheet, but it was a quick and easy fix."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is room for small error in the free skate.

The New York Times - Sports

He made one small error when he had scored three.

The Guardian - Sport

score by 5 points, a pretty small error.

The New York Times - Books

These models allow predictions of Ra with small error (12.8 %).

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

One small error for man is always in danger of becoming one giant mistake for humankind.

The New Yorker

In Christopher Hitchens's honest, poignant and often hilarious review, he makes one small error.

The New York Times

One small error leads to a succession of lies and betrayals.

The Guardian - Film

This leads to a small error in the total exposure, per good time interval (GTI).

Harvard University

This reduces overshoot at small error and increase speed at large error.

Cornell University

Though a seemingly logical move, Neff's 16... Bc5 was a small error.

The New York Times

"On a tree-lined road, any small error can be fatal," she said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use synonyms such as "minor mistake" or "slight inaccuracy" to provide variety in your writing and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of a "small error". Ensure your description aligns with its actual significance to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small error" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "error". It is used to identify and characterize a mistake that is of minor significance. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small error" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a minor mistake or inaccuracy. As validated by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for a wide range of contexts, including scientific, news, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure you accurately represent the error's impact, avoiding both overstatement and understatement. Alternatives like "minor mistake" or "slight inaccuracy" can add variety to your writing. Remember that while the error may be "small", it is crucial to access its context to determine if it requires attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor mistake

Replaces "error" with "mistake", indicating a slightly more informal tone.

slight inaccuracy

Substitutes "error" with "inaccuracy", emphasizing a deviation from precision.

negligible mistake

Uses "negligible" to highlight the insignificance of the error.

trivial fault

Replaces "error" with "fault", suggesting a minor flaw or imperfection.

insignificant slip

Emphasizes the unintentional nature of the error by using "slip".

modest oversight

Replaces "error" with "oversight", implying a failure to notice something important.

limited discrepancy

Uses "discrepancy" to focus on the difference or inconsistency, while "limited" mirrors the size.

tiny imperfection

Substitutes "error" with "imperfection", emphasizing the lack of flawlessness.

piddling mistake

Uses "piddling" to further minimize the importance of the mistake.

petite blunder

Replaces "error" with "blunder", suggesting a clumsy or careless mistake, while "petite" mirrors the size.

FAQs

How can I use "small error" in a sentence?

You can use "small error" to describe a minor mistake or inaccuracy. For example, "There was a "small error" in the calculation, but it didn't affect the final result."

What are some alternatives to saying "small error"?

You can use alternatives like "minor mistake", "slight inaccuracy", or "negligible mistake" depending on the context.

Is it always acceptable to overlook a "small error"?

While a "small error" may not always be critical, it's important to assess its potential impact. In some situations, even a minor mistake can have significant consequences, so it's crucial to evaluate each case individually.

What's the difference between "small error" and "major error"?

A "small error" refers to a minor mistake with limited impact, whereas a "major error" indicates a significant mistake that can cause substantial problems or consequences.