there is error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there is error" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "there is an error." Example: "In the report, there is an error in the calculations that needs to be fixed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Radiographs were used to measure bone resorption, and although efforts were taken to minimize measurement errors there is error that is unavoidable due to the inherent limitations of radiography.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Where there is error, may he bring bullshit.

The Guardian - Opinion

Where there is error, may we bring truth.

The Guardian - Opinion

Where there is error, may we bring a statistical margin for it to exist in.

The Guardian - Opinion

The HIV result, by the way, was wrong: with every trial, you learn, there is error.

The Guardian

But you guess she chose them only for what followed: "Where there is error may we bring truth.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Why shouldn't there be errors and omissions?

The New Yorker

If there are error messages, write them down.

WikiHow

"There were errors made.

The New Yorker

"There were errors in judgment.

The New York Times

"There were errors or procedural errors".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the indefinite article "a" or "an" before "error" or "mistake" when referring to a single instance. The correct phrasing is "there is an error" or "there is a mistake".

Common error

A frequent mistake is to omit the indefinite article before "error" or "mistake". Avoid writing "there is error"; instead, use "there is an error" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there is error" functions as an expression indicating the presence of a mistake or inaccuracy. However, as Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically incorrect in standard English and should be replaced with "there is an error".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

45%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "there is error" is used to indicate the presence of a mistake, it's grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI emphasizes that the correct form is "there is an error". Although the phrase appears across various sources, including news and scientific publications, it is advisable to use the grammatically correct alternatives. Better choices include "there is an error", "there is a mistake", or "an error exists" to ensure clarity and accuracy in writing. The phrase's presence in different contexts suggests that while it's understood, grammatical correctness should always be prioritized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there is an error

Corrects the grammatical structure by including the indefinite article "an" before "error".

there's an error

Uses the contraction "there's" for "there is", maintaining the corrected grammar.

there is a mistake

Replaces "error" with a more common synonym, using the correct article "a".

there's a mistake

Combines the contraction "there's" with the synonym "mistake".

an error exists

Emphasizes the existence of the error using a more direct verb construction.

there has been an error

Shifts to the present perfect tense to emphasize a past error's relevance.

a mistake exists

Similar to "an error exists", but using "mistake" instead of "error".

an error has occurred

More formal construction indicating that an error has happened.

an inaccuracy is present

Replaces "error" with "inaccuracy", offering a slightly different nuance.

a fault is present

Uses "fault" as a synonym, highlighting a defect or imperfection.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "there is error"?

The grammatically correct way to phrase this is "there is "there is an error"" or "there is "there is a mistake"". The inclusion of the indefinite article "an" or "a" is essential for proper grammar.

Are "there is error" and "there is an error" interchangeable?

No, "there is error" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""there is an error"". The indefinite article "an" is required before the noun "error".

What can I say instead of "there is error" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "an error exists" or "an error has occurred". These options provide a more polished and professional feel.

Is it ever correct to omit the article before "error"?

In very specific contexts, such as technical or mathematical notation, the article might be omitted, but in standard English writing, it's almost always necessary to include "a" or "an" before "error" to maintain grammatical accuracy. So "an error exists" or similar phrases.