there could be an error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there could be an error" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating the possibility of a mistake or issue in a situation or process. Example: "Please double-check your calculations, as there could be an error in the final results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Kind souls suggested there could be an error in the sampling and urged her to be re-tested elsewhere.

Huffington Post

There could be an error in these calculations, of course.

The Guardian

(i) In the observation phase, we assume that there could be an error in the decision threshold used at each sensor.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This suggested that there could be a possible error in the sequence assembly.

BMC Genomics

There could be an infection.

WikiHow

Maybury et al. (2000) observed that there could be a 10 58% error in predicting the capacity of a continuous centrifuge if hydrodynamic stress equivalent to the conditions which prevail in the feed zone was not applied to the process material prior to centrifugation.

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

While it's possible that there could be a large enough modelling error to allow the result of the ban failing, it is unlikely.

The Guardian - Opinion

The researchers acknowledged that their calculation was a rough estimate, but the core findings show just how big a difference there could be even accounting for error: The ethical benefits are important to consider, as well.

The New York Times

Therefore, those patients that are missed initially, but who die from their cancer can be assumed to be subject to a successful traceback procedure, or there could be assumed to be an error in a proportion of these cases where a misspecification of the true date of diagnosis occurs instead.

British Journal of Cancer

Like all self-assessed variables, there could be measurement error.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Actually, there could be some error during the linking process (See also the section of error analysis).

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there could be an error", clearly indicate what might be erroneous to avoid ambiguity. For example, "There could be an error in the calculation, so double-check your figures".

Common error

Avoid using "there could be an error" when you strongly suspect an error exists. Instead, use stronger language such as "there is likely an error" or "the data contains an error".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there could be an error" functions as a hedge, softening a statement about a potential problem. It introduces a possibility rather than a certainty. Ludwig provides many examples that validate this function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

56%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there could be an error" serves as a hedging phrase, expressing the possibility of a mistake rather than a definitive statement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it finds frequent use across various contexts, including news, science, and general communication, making it a versatile phrase for expressing uncertainty or prompting verification. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's crucial to use it appropriately, reserving stronger language for situations where an error is highly probable or confirmed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an error is possible

Emphasizes the possibility of an error existing.

a mistake might exist

Highlights the potential for a mistake.

an inaccuracy is conceivable

Focuses on the conceivability of an inaccurate element.

there's a chance of a fault

Indicates a possibility of something being faulty.

a flaw may be present

Suggests the potential existence of a flaw.

an oversight is plausible

Highlights the plausibility of something having been overlooked.

it's possible there's a bug

Refers specifically to a bug or glitch as a potential error.

a discrepancy is conceivable

Focuses on the possibility of a discrepancy or inconsistency.

it's not error-free

States that something may contain errors.

the data might be flawed

Highlights the data having a potential flaw.

FAQs

How can I use "there could be an error" in a sentence?

Use "there could be an error" to suggest the possibility of a mistake, as in, "Please review the report; "there could be an error" in the analysis."

What phrases are similar to "there could be an error"?

Alternatives include phrases like "an error is possible", "a mistake might exist", or "a discrepancy is conceivable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "there may be an error" instead of "there could be an error"?

Yes, "there may be an error" is also correct and conveys a similar meaning. Both phrases suggest a possibility, but "could" often implies a slightly lower probability than "may".

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "there could be an error"?

It's best to avoid using ""there could be an error"" when you are certain an error exists. In such cases, use a more direct statement like "there is an error".