Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

that's a mistake
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(4)

that was an error

that is incorrect

that was ill-advised

that's incorrect

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Er, that's a mistake," Ms. Padmore said.

News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

Labour's experience suggests that's a mistake.

News & Media

The Guardian - Opinion

That's a mistake.

Academia

Harvard University

But that's a mistake.

News & Media

Independent

"That's a mistake I made.

News & Media

The New York Times

And that's a mistake.

News & Media

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Sorry, that was a mistake.

News & Media

The Guardian

In retrospect, that was a mistake.

News & Media

The Economist

SPEER: No, that is a mistake.

Academia

Yale University

But that's a mistaken assumption.

News & Media

The New Yorker

That's a mistaken idea.

News & Media

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that's a mistake", be specific about what the mistake is and why it's considered a mistake. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While acceptable in casual conversation, relying heavily on "that's a mistake" in formal writing can make your tone seem dismissive or lacking in sophistication. Opt for more precise and nuanced language to convey your message effectively.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's a mistake" primarily functions as an assessment or evaluation of a situation, action, or statement. It serves to identify something as incorrect or erroneous. As demonstrated by Ludwig examples, it directly points out flaws or errors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

Less common in

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that's a mistake" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate an error or incorrect judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its general correctness. With a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and business, its primary function is to express disagreement or correction. While versatile, it's beneficial to consider more formal alternatives in certain writing situations. Authoritative sources frequently employ this phrase, highlighting its widespread acceptance and understandability.

More alternative expressions(6)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was an error

Focuses on the past occurrence of the mistake.

that's incorrect

Directly states the information is not correct.

that's an oversight

Suggests the mistake was due to a lack of attention.

that's a blunder

Emphasizes the seriousness of the mistake.

that's a miscalculation

Highlights that the mistake was due to an incorrect calculation.

that's an error in judgment

Focuses on the decision-making process that led to the mistake.

that's a faux pas

Implies a social error or breach of etiquette.

that's a slip-up

Suggests a minor, unintentional mistake.

that's my bad

Informal way of admitting a mistake.

that's on me

Takes personal responsibility for the mistake.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "that's a mistake"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "that was an error", "that is incorrect", or "that is an oversight".

Is "that's a mistake" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "that's a mistake" might be considered too informal for some formal writing contexts. Consider using a more sophisticated alternative like "that is a misjudgment" or "that was ill-advised".

How can I use "that's a mistake" effectively in a sentence?

To use "that's a mistake" effectively, ensure you clearly identify what the mistake is and, if necessary, explain why it's considered a mistake. For example, "Assuming the project would be completed on time without additional resources? "That's a mistake" that could lead to serious delays".

What's the difference between "that's a mistake" and "that was a mistake"?

"That's a mistake" generally refers to a mistake that is currently being made or has just been discovered. "That was a mistake" refers to a mistake that occurred in the past.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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that's a mistakeGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

that's a mistake
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples