syntactical error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "syntactical error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a mistake in the arrangement of words or phrases in a sentence that affects its grammatical correctness. Example: "The sentence contained a syntactical error that made it difficult to understand the intended meaning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The second is the syntactical error it contains ("it is necessary carry out").

The Guardian

(d) He said, of the Republicans basing the entire theme of their convention on a syntactical error by President Obama, "The fact that God hasn't smitten the Tampa Bay Times Forum is definitive proof that He doesn't exist".

The New Yorker

And for Pete's sake -- if that "gaffe" is just the result of a candidate in the heat of the campaign searching for the right explanation, making a semantic or syntactical error, and we can all reliably say that the resulting statement is a matter of missed intent, surely our debate moderators can manifest the maturity necessary to not "play dumb" and turn the discourse into an idiot plot.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

All the struggle is still there in the headlong sentences that tumble toward his signature, in the misspelled words and syntactical errors, in the self-conscious language of a boy starved for love and trying, instead, to live a moment more off pride.

The New Yorker

This high number of syntactical errors in the control group was caused by two participants.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

The syntactical errors in the experimental group were made by one subject.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

Intelligent Knowledge Management Environment (IKME) [15] is a static code validation tool that identifies syntactical errors with basis just on XML Schema of the language.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

The majority of the raw file names present in public archives contain syntactical errors such as surrounded by brackets or separated by comma; moreover, such entries could be normalized through a simple script.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

The model was rigorously checked for syntactical and logical errors.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

More than 400 syntactical and semantical errors are detected and indicated by expressive error/warning messages.

Bioinformatics

Wildemuth and Moore [ 6] noted that this search technique is prone to syntactical or typographical errors but can be improved with the use of an online thesaurus and the inclusion of synonyms in the search concepts.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When identifying a "syntactical error", provide specific details about the incorrect structure and suggest corrections to improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid labeling unconventional but intentional sentence structures as "syntactical errors". Ensure the perceived error genuinely violates grammatical rules, not just stylistic preferences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "syntactical error" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific type of mistake related to sentence structure. As Ludwig AI shows, it pinpoints flaws in the arrangement of words and phrases rather than general grammatical issues.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

67%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "syntactical error" is a noun phrase used to describe a mistake in sentence structure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and utility, while noting its relatively low frequency. Predominantly found in scientific and news media contexts, the phrase serves to precisely identify issues in language use. For alternative phrasing, consider "syntax mistake" or "grammatical error". When using the term, ensure accurate identification of structural flaws rather than subjective stylistic disagreements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

syntax mistake

Replaces the adjective and noun with synonyms, maintaining the core meaning of an error in sentence structure.

error in syntax

Rephrases the term by placing "error" after "in".

syntactic mistake

A synonym for "syntactical error" using a different noun to mean roughly the same thing.

grammatical error

Broader term that encompasses all types of grammatical mistakes, including syntax.

sentence construction error

Specifies that the error relates to the way a sentence is put together.

faulty syntax

Uses an adjective to describe the syntax instead of explicitly calling it an error.

incorrect sentence structure

Focuses on the structure of the sentence as being the source of the error.

improper syntax

Similar to faulty syntax, using an adjective to describe the syntax's quality.

flawed sentence structure

Replaces "error" with a slightly stronger term, "flawed", and includes "sentence structure".

syntax problem

A more general term for any issue related to sentence structure.

FAQs

How can I fix a "syntactical error"?

To correct a "syntactical error", identify the incorrect word order or phrase structure, then rearrange the sentence to follow standard grammatical rules. Consulting a grammar guide or style manual can be helpful.

What's the difference between a "syntactical error" and a grammatical error?

A "syntactical error" specifically relates to the arrangement of words and phrases. A grammatical error is a broader term encompassing any violation of a language's grammar rules, including morphology and punctuation.

What are some common causes of "syntactical error"s?

Common causes include incorrect word order, missing or misplaced punctuation, and disagreement between sentence elements. Careless writing and lack of proofreading often contribute to these errors.

What can I say instead of "syntactical error"?

You can use alternatives like "syntax mistake", "grammatical error", or "incorrect sentence structure" depending on the context.