subtle mistakes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'subtle mistakes' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to mistakes that are not easily noticed or are done subtly. For example, "I noticed a few subtle mistakes in his essay that may have cost him a few marks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There's so much comfort to be found in the subtle mistakes you can point out.

Huffington Post

"My family has been here for five generations!" For me, this incident put two kinds of language into stark relief: the language of the polite microaggression--the subtle mistakes in the office place that reveals the ugliness in our own presumptions--bumped up against something much more overt: the language of the streets and its unvarnished racism.

Huffington Post

On the other hand, beside these now well identified errors which are often due to automatic processes, more subtle mistakes may occur when some of the numerous effects of divergent evolution are overlooked.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A somewhat more subtle mistake.

The New York Times

Then the Angels capitalized on a subtle mistake by the Yankees.

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately, even though Carl is right, he made a small and subtle mistake so difficult to spot that it leaves Carl's justification intact.

SEP

"It was a subtle mistake and a very big punishment, but we just took it, gritted our teeth and turned our heads to the race".

BBC

He photographed each of the drawings and exhibited the photographs for the multilayered things they were: documents of imperfect recollections of documents of a collective reality, which look at first glance like the real, original thing but are marked by all kinds of subtle and not-so-subtle mistakes and revisions.

The New York Times - Arts

All this time, and there are still subtle design mistakes like this in mission-critical products.

The Guardian - Tech

Others were subtle, perhaps innocent mistakes, like using recyclable cardboard boxes as trash bins.

The New York Times

Alfonso Soriano has improved at second base, and he says he loves the position as much as he ever loved shortstop, but he makes subtle and costly mistakes from time to time.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "subtle mistakes", ensure the context clarifies what makes the mistakes subtle (e.g., complex reasoning, nuanced judgment).

Common error

Avoid using "subtle mistakes" when the errors are, in fact, glaring or obvious. This diminishes the impact of your writing and misleads the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subtle mistakes" functions as a noun phrase, where "subtle" modifies the noun "mistakes". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is often used to describe errors that are not immediately apparent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "subtle mistakes" is a grammatically sound and usable expression referring to errors that are not easily detected. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is appropriate for describing errors requiring careful observation. While not extremely common, it appears across diverse sources, especially in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When writing, use alternatives like "minor errors" or "slight errors" for variety, and be mindful that the mistakes are genuinely subtle to avoid misleading the reader. The expression is suitable for neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor errors

Focuses on the small size or impact of the mistakes.

slight errors

Highlights the small degree or extent of the errors.

inconspicuous errors

Emphasizes that the mistakes are not easily noticed.

overlooked errors

Suggests the mistakes were missed or ignored.

unnoticeable mistakes

Stresses the difficulty in perceiving the errors.

small oversights

Replaces "mistakes" with "oversights", implying errors due to inattention.

hidden flaws

Shifts from "mistakes" to "flaws", suggesting underlying imperfections.

unobtrusive errors

Highlights how the errors do not attract attention.

implicit errors

Implies that the errors are suggested or indirectly stated but not plainly expressed.

delicate errors

Emphasizes the sensitivity or vulnerability related to the errors.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The analysis revealed "subtle mistakes" in the methodology that initially went unnoticed" or "Even experienced editors can miss "subtle mistakes" during the proofreading process".

What are some alternatives to "subtle mistakes"?

Consider using alternatives like "minor errors", "slight errors", or "inconspicuous errors" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "subtle mistakes" or "obvious mistakes"?

The choice depends on the context. "Subtle mistakes" implies errors that are not easily detected, while "obvious mistakes" refers to errors that are readily apparent. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the nature of the errors you are describing.

What makes a mistake "subtle"?

A mistake is "subtle" when it is not immediately noticeable or easily detected due to its complexity, nuance, or similarity to correct information. It often requires careful examination or expertise to identify.