to blunder

USAGE SUMMARY

"to blunder" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe making a mistake or error, often due to carelessness. Example: "He tends to blunder when he rushes through his work." Alternative expressions include "to err" and "to make a mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academic

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How is it possible for our blunderers to blunder so often?

The Guardian - Opinion

You do not wish to blunder into another's sorrow.

The New Yorker

I was left to blunder around in the dark.

Independent

We do not need to blunder into another war.

The New York Times

Boy, were we lucky to blunder into this one".

The New York Times - Science

Joyful burden has given way to blunder du jour.

The New York Times

The only option was to blunder on through hoping.

The New Yorker

We didn't want to blunder in as a blunt tool".

The Guardian

To speak when one cannot is to blunder.

The New Yorker

He is privileged, funny, prone to blunder and rarely inconvenienced by the fallout.

The Economist

("Ira Kipness escapes Bell's pitfall only to blunder into one of his own making").

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with prepositions like "into" (e.g., "to blunder into a trap") to describe an unintentional entry into a difficult situation.

Common error

Avoid using "to blunder" for very small or inconsequential errors. The word typically implies a mistake of significant magnitude or one that results from notable ignorance. For tiny typos or brief verbal slips, "to misspeak" or "to slip up" is usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to blunder" acts as an infinitive verb. It is primarily used intransitively to describe the act of making a serious mistake or moving clumsily. According to Ludwig, it frequently appears as the complement of other verbs or as part of a purpose clause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academic

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to blunder" is a powerful verb used to denote clumsy or significant mistakes that often carry a sense of embarrassment or preventable failure. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase is a staple in top-tier journalism, frequently applied to political missteps and strategic failures. It is most effective when you want to add a descriptive layer of incompetence or lack of awareness to the act of making an error. While it can also describe physical clumsiness, its figurative use in professional writing remains its most dominant and impactful application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to err

More formal and often carries a moral or philosophical connotation.

to slip up

More informal and suggests a minor, accidental lapse in concentration.

to bungle

Emphasizes clumsiness or a total lack of skill in handling a task.

to miscalculate

Focuses specifically on a failure in logic, strategy or numerical estimation.

to stumble

Can be used literally for physical tripping or figuratively for a mistake while proceeding.

to fumble

Often used for physical clumsiness or losing one's grip on an object or situation.

to drop the ball

An idiomatic expression focusing on a failure to fulfill a specific responsibility.

to commit a gaffe

Refers specifically to a social or diplomatic mistake that causes embarrassment.

to falter

Suggests losing momentum or hesitation that leads to an error.

to mess up

A very casual and broad alternative used in everyday speech.

FAQs

How do I use "to blunder" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a major error, such as "The government is prone "to blunder" when rushing new legislation".

What is the difference between "to blunder" and "to err"?

While both mean to make a mistake, "to blunder" implies clumsiness or stupidity, whereas "to err" is more formal and neutral.

Can "to blunder" refer to physical movement?

Yes, it often describes moving blindly, as in "to blunder around" in the dark.

Is it correct to say "to blunder into" something?

Yes, it is very common to use "to blunder into" when describing someone accidentally entering a bad situation or a conflict.