unfortunate mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

"unfortunate mistake" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe an error that has negative consequences or is regrettable. Example: "It was an unfortunate mistake that led to the project's delay." Alternative expressions include "regrettable error" and "unlucky blunder."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was an unfortunate mistake.

The Guardian - Sport

We regard this as an unfortunate mistake.

The Guardian

It was a very unfortunate mistake".

The Guardian

In the eyes of many observers, the defense then made an unfortunate mistake.

Princeton University

Perhaps it was my permanent wave, which was a truly unfortunate mistake.

The New York Times

Now, in a surprising twist, they have said that the whole affair was an unfortunate mistake.

The Economist

But the police watchdog concluded he made "an unfortunate mistake" and cleared him of misconduct.

The Guardian - Sport

Even iconic keepers such as Hugo Orlando Gatti saw their standing undermined by one unfortunate mistake.

The Guardian - Sport

A third is simply that he has made the unfortunate mistake of making statements that can be easily contradicted.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Speed + constantly checking Ukrainian spellings = unfortunate mistakes.

The Guardian - Sport

Then there's been a lot of unfortunate mistakes, myself included.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unfortunate mistake", be specific about the mistake and its consequences to provide clarity and context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "unfortunate mistake" as a generic apology without acknowledging the specific error and its impact. Instead, clearly state the mistake and take responsibility for it to build trust and demonstrate accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfortunate mistake" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific error and characterizes it as regrettable. As Ludwig AI highlights, the examples demonstrate its use in describing errors across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

14%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unfortunate mistake" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to describe a regrettable error. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and wide acceptance. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific and academic contexts. While various alternatives exist, such as "regrettable error" and "lamentable error", "unfortunate mistake" remains a versatile and widely understood way to express disappointment about an error and acknowledge its impact. It is important to use the phrase specifically and avoid vague apologies when conveying this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regrettable error

Replaces "unfortunate" with "regrettable", emphasizing the feeling of sorrow or disappointment about the mistake.

lamentable error

Substitutes "unfortunate" with "lamentable", highlighting the sorrowful or mournful nature of the mistake.

grievous error

Replaces "unfortunate" with "grievous", stressing the serious or grave nature of the mistake.

unlucky blunder

Uses "blunder" instead of "mistake", suggesting a clumsy or careless error influenced by bad luck.

regrettable oversight

Replaces "mistake" with "oversight", indicating a failure to notice or consider something.

unintended error

Replaces "unfortunate" with "unintended", focusing on the lack of deliberate intent behind the mistake.

costly error

Replaces "unfortunate" with "costly", highlighting the negative consequences or expense resulting from the mistake.

avoidable error

Emphasizes the preventable nature of the mistake, suggesting it could have been avoided with better planning or care.

careless mistake

Highlights a lack of diligence or attention as the cause of the mistake.

inadvertent error

Focuses on the unintentional nature of the mistake, similar to "unintended error".

FAQs

How can I use "unfortunate mistake" in a sentence?

You can use "unfortunate mistake" to describe an error that had negative consequences. For example, "The project delay was an unfortunate mistake resulting from poor planning".

What can I say instead of "unfortunate mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "regrettable error", "lamentable error", or "unlucky blunder" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "unfortunate mistake" or "error"?

Both are correct, but "unfortunate mistake" emphasizes the negative consequences or regret associated with the error, while "error" is more neutral. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone you want to convey.

What is the difference between "unfortunate mistake" and "accident"?

"Unfortunate mistake" implies an error or oversight that led to a negative outcome, while "accident" suggests an unintentional event that caused harm or damage. A mistake is often preventable, while an accident may be unavoidable.