this is a mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "This is a mistake" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to acknowledge that something was an error. For example, "I realized that putting the incorrect amount of sugar in the cake was a mistake - this is a mistake that I won't make again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

This is a mistake.

The New York Times

But this is a mistake".

The Economist

Some insist that this is a mistake.

The Economist

I think this is a mistake.

The New York Times

But this is a mistake, argues Kripke.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is a mistake, the authors say.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

But this is a mistaken notion.

Forbes

This was a mistake.

The New York Times

This was a mistake; this was all a mistake.

The New Yorker

Now he says this was a mistake.

The Economist

"This was a mistake," she said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "This is a mistake" to clearly and directly acknowledge errors, but consider the context to determine if a more specific or nuanced phrasing is appropriate. Ensure the tone matches the situation's seriousness.

Common error

Avoid using "This is a mistake" repeatedly in close succession. Instead, vary your language with phrases like "That was an oversight" or "I was wrong" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "This is a mistake" serves as a declarative statement used to acknowledge an error, oversight, or misjudgment. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in identifying deviations from correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "This is a mistake" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to acknowledge errors or misjudgments. Ludwig AI indicates its broad applicability across varied contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific discussions. While effective for direct acknowledgment, consider using related phrases for nuanced expression and to avoid redundancy. Remember to adjust the register based on the situation's formality and be specific about the mistake to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

That's an error

Replaces "mistake" with "error", offering a slightly more formal tone.

This is not correct

Offers a direct but neutral assessment of the situation.

That was incorrect

Substitutes "mistake" with "incorrect", focusing on the factual inaccuracy.

That's a misjudgment

Replaces "mistake" with "misjudgment", focusing on flawed decision-making.

That's a blunder

Uses "blunder" instead of "mistake", implying a more significant error.

This is an error in judgment

Elaborates on the nature of the mistake, framing it as a lapse in judgment.

That was an oversight

Replaces "mistake" with "oversight", suggesting the error was unintentional.

I was wrong

Shifts the focus to personal admission of error.

That was my fault

Assigns blame directly to the speaker.

I messed up

Offers an informal way of admitting a mistake.

FAQs

How can I use "This is a mistake" in a sentence?

You can use "This is a mistake" to acknowledge an error or misjudgment. For example, "I thought adding more salt would improve the flavor, but "this is a mistake"."

What are some alternatives to saying "This is a mistake"?

Alternatives include "that was incorrect", "that was an error", or "I messed up", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it always appropriate to say "This is a mistake"?

While generally acceptable, assess the situation's formality. In sensitive contexts, consider a more empathetic approach. For example, in an attempt to rectify errors, you might say "We recognize there was an error in judgement and we are taking immediate steps to resolve it."

What's the difference between "This is a mistake" and "That was a mistake"?

"This is a mistake" usually refers to an error that is currently happening or has immediate consequences. "That was a mistake" refers to an error that occurred in the past.