sort of blunder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sort of blunder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mistake or error that is somewhat minor or not entirely serious. Example: "He made a sort of blunder during the presentation, but it didn't affect the overall outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

No you can't — not when it comes to this sort of blunder.

The New Yorker

No you can't—not when it comes to this sort of blunder.

The New Yorker

I hope that this sort of blunder is not repeated and that the business world of small-and medium-sized enterprises and the workers of the European Union are not left to foot the bill yet again.

EU Parlament

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's fun to imagine the ship of industry is piloted by CEOs with pioneering instincts, but it seems more likely that people don't know what they're doing, and we're all just sort of blundering around, and some of us fail our way into achievement.

Vice

It's fun to imagine the ship of industry is piloted by CEOs with pioneering instincts, but it seems more likely that no one knows what they're doing, and we're all just sort of blundering around, and some of us fail our way into achievement.

Vice

The first single, "Get On Your Boots," is a sort of adorable blunder.

The New Yorker

I could probably just about have forgiven this sort of irritating blunder if one of the guilty parties hadn't been a City law firm.

Independent

If that sounds like the sort of ludicrous blunder that couldn't possibly happen today, think again.

BBC

This sort of intelligence blunder contributed to the failure of Adlertag.

Wikipedia

"Often times, people kind of blunder their way through negotiations.

BBC

She lost because of the tactical blunders of her campaign.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sort of blunder" when you want to downplay the severity of a mistake, implying it's not a major issue. Ensure the context supports this lighter tone.

Common error

Avoid using "sort of blunder" in formal or professional settings where a more direct and serious tone is required. Opt for terms like "error" or "mistake" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sort of blunder" functions as a noun phrase, where "sort of" modifies the noun "blunder". It qualifies the type of error, suggesting it is not particularly serious or significant. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sort of blunder" is used to describe a relatively minor mistake or error. While grammatically correct, it's not a very common expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage is more frequent in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal register. When using this phrase, consider your audience and the level of formality required. For more formal situations, alternative phrases such as "minor error" or "slight mistake" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor miscalculation

Replaces "blunder" with a more neutral term, implying a small error in calculation or judgment.

slight mistake

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey a similar meaning of a small error.

trivial error

Emphasizes the insignificance of the mistake.

small oversight

Focuses on the aspect of neglecting something minor.

insignificant gaffe

Replaces both words with synonyms of blunder and sort of, while keeping a slightly humorous tone.

a touch of clumsiness

Metaphorically describes the mistake as an act of clumsiness.

a bit of carelessness

Highlights the lack of attention as the cause of the error.

a slip-up

Informal and concise term for a small mistake.

a hiccup

Figuratively represents the error as a temporary disruption.

a minor lapse

Highlights a temporary failure in judgment or memory.

FAQs

How can I use "sort of blunder" in a sentence?

You can use "sort of blunder" to describe a mistake that is not very serious. For example, "He made a "sort of blunder" during the presentation, but it didn't affect the outcome."

What's a more formal alternative to "sort of blunder"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "minor error", "slight mistake", or "small oversight" instead of "sort of blunder".

Is "sort of blunder" appropriate for professional communication?

While grammatically correct, "sort of blunder" is generally more suitable for informal communication. For professional settings, use more precise and formal language.

What's the difference between "sort of blunder" and a major mistake?

"Sort of blunder" implies a less significant error, whereas a major mistake suggests a serious and impactful error. The choice depends on the severity you want to convey.