unforeseen errors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unforeseen errors" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to refer to errors that were not anticipated or not known about in advance. For example, "We encountered several unforeseen errors in the materials that compromised the success of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In order to accommodate unforeseen errors in completing the study questionnaire, additional 20% (138 subjects) were studied.

BMC Pediatrics

This requires larger plans to be seen, not as static products, but as starting points for ongoing adaptation to changes in local circumstances, including unforeseen errors in seascape-scale data.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sigma, however, was written as a once-good character suffering an "unforeseen error" that leads him to be completely evil.

Wikipedia

However, to avoid any unforeseen error in the data analysis, we performed the heat of dilution (control titration) experiment with all the ligands utilized herein, and those control experimental data along with the corresponding ITC titration profiles for the binding of different ligands to HDAC8 are shown in the Supporting Information (see Figures S1 S6).

Biochemistry

However, as with case control studies in human and veterinary epidemiology, unforeseen misclassification errors may result in biased risk estimates in either direction.

Environmental Health Perspectives

However, for identification of unforeseen workflow errors, laboratory personnel were given assay result distributions, including frequency of positives, negatives and invalids for comparison with historical values.

Gut

The book's publisher, Pan Macmillan, said that a "small number of copies" of the Picador classic edition of American Psycho Welshsh calls the book "one of the greatest novels of our time" in his introduction – had been released without shrink-wrapping "due to an unforeseen production error".

The Guardian - Books

You can throw millions of test bots at the system, but in a real-world launch scenario, with hundreds of different stages in the delivery platform, often including rented server space outside of the direct control of the dev team, there will always be unforeseen bottlenecks and errors.

The Guardian - Tech

Other legitimate circumstances might include bank errors, unforeseen car or home repairs, or family responsibilities beyond your control.

WikiHow

As sulfuric acid in the clouds at this height is not a threat for a properly shielded craft, this so-called "solar flyer" would be able to measure the area in between 45 km and 60 km indefinitely, as long as mechanical error or unforeseen problems do not cause it to fail.

Wikipedia

This work reviews the failures in the structural components of heavy road vehicles, to present a broad spectrum of failure causes in structural parts, ranging from poor manufacturing practices over design errors to the unforeseen combination of operating conditions and materials selection.

Handbook of Materials Failure Analysis with Case Studies from the Aerospace and Automotive Industries

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unforeseen errors", ensure the context clearly indicates why the errors were not predictable or preventable at the planning stage.

Common error

Avoid using "unforeseen errors" as a blanket excuse for poor planning. Always strive to demonstrate that reasonable precautions were taken to prevent errors, even if some were ultimately unavoidable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unforeseen errors" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "unforeseen" indicates that the errors were not anticipated or predicted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unforeseen errors" is a grammatically correct and usable term, according to Ludwig, used to describe mistakes that were not anticipated. While not exceedingly common, it appears in a variety of contexts, primarily in science and news media. Understanding its nuances and potential alternatives, such as "unexpected mistakes" or "unanticipated problems", can help writers use it effectively and appropriately. Remember to avoid overusing "unforeseen errors" as a mere excuse, but rather use the phrase only when there is clear demonstration that precautions were taken. As highlighted in Ludwig, using the term correctly can add precision to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected mistakes

Replaces "unforeseen" with "unexpected", emphasizing the lack of anticipation.

unanticipated errors

Substitutes "unforeseen" with "unanticipated", keeping the meaning of not being predicted.

unpredicted mistakes

Replaces "unforeseen" with "unpredicted", stressing the lack of foresight.

unforeseen mistakes

Uses a more general term "mistakes" instead of technical "errors"

unexpected glitches

Replaces "errors" with "glitches", implying minor, sudden malfunctions.

unanticipated problems

Replaces "errors" with "problems", broadening the scope to include any unexpected issue.

unforeseen complications

Replaces "errors" with "complications", suggesting more complex and involved issues.

unanticipated setbacks

Replaces "errors" with "setbacks", focusing on unexpected delays or impediments.

unforeseen difficulties

Uses "difficulties" instead of "errors", softening the impact of the phrase.

unexpected consequences

Shifts the focus to the outcomes of actions, rather than the errors themselves.

FAQs

How can I use "unforeseen errors" in a sentence?

You can use "unforeseen errors" to describe mistakes that were not anticipated during planning or execution. For example, "The project was delayed due to "unforeseen errors" in the data analysis."

What are some alternatives to "unforeseen errors"?

Alternatives include "unexpected mistakes", "unanticipated problems", or "unforeseen complications", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "unforeseen errors"?

While all errors are, in a sense, unexpected, "unforeseen errors" emphasizes that the errors were genuinely not predictable based on the available information and planning efforts. It's useful when you want to highlight the unexpected nature of the mistakes.

What's the difference between "unforeseen errors" and "human error"?

"Unforeseen errors" refers to errors that were not anticipated regardless of their cause, while "human error" specifically attributes the error to a mistake made by a person. "Unforeseen errors" can include system malfunctions or external factors, whereas human error is limited to mistakes made by individuals.