vital mistakes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vital mistakes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to significant errors that have important consequences or implications. Example: "In the final report, we must address the vital mistakes made during the research phase to ensure accuracy in our findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Larrazabal carded a final round of 67 to finish 14 under par, one stroke ahead of McIlroy and Mickelson, who were both left to rue vital mistakes.

Independent

However, there are two simple but vital mistakes in the NeMHIP.

Computers & Security

Facebook made three vital mistakes that doomed the Credits experiment and never gave it a fair chance at success.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"While the human element has always been an integral part of baseball, it is vital that mistakes on the field be addressed," said Selig, who has generally been one of the stronger replay opponents among baseball officials, in part because he is concerned that already long games will get even longer.

The New York Times - Sports

The police failed to arrest any of the men – a "vital and fundamental mistake" according to the Stephen Lawrence inquiry report – but launched a surveillance operation outside the home of the Acourt brothers in Bournbrook Road.

Independent

Avoiding common programming mistakes is vital to fending off today's worst attacks, he said.

The New York Times - Tech

Avoiding common programming mistakes is vital to fending off today's worst attacks, Mr. Paller said.

The New York Times - Tech

The solicitors play a vital role in highlighting mistakes made in the fair consideration of asylum applications.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Giants' offense looked effortless in spurts, but it was slowed in vital spots, often by mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

An NHS that is rooted in openness, honesty and the general principle of being able to learn from its mistakes is vital.

The Guardian

It's therefore vital to learn from mistakes, several speakers noted, but dwelling on them is destructive.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of errors, use "vital mistakes" to emphasize the significant consequences and avoid minimizing their importance.

Common error

Avoid using "vital mistakes" for minor errors, as it can create unnecessary alarm and undermine your credibility. Reserve it for truly consequential errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vital mistakes" functions as a noun phrase where "vital" serves as an adjective modifying the noun "mistakes". This combination emphasizes the significance and critical nature of the errors being discussed. Ludwig confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vital mistakes" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for emphasizing the critical nature of errors, according to Ludwig. While its usage is relatively rare, it effectively conveys the significance of mistakes with potentially serious consequences. It appears across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. To avoid exaggeration and preserve your writing's impact, reserve this phrase for the most consequential errors. Remember, as Ludwig suggests, context matters when communicating errors, and "vital mistakes" should align with the gravity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical errors

Emphasizes the severity and potential consequences of the mistakes.

crucial errors

Highlights the decisive nature of the mistakes and their impact.

key blunders

Focuses on the importance of the errors, portraying them as significant missteps.

significant oversights

Underlines the importance and the negligent aspect of the mistakes.

major failings

Stresses the magnitude and the aspect of failure involved in the mistakes.

serious lapses

Emphasizes the gravity and the temporary nature of the mistakes.

grave errors

Highlights the solemn and serious nature of the mistakes.

principal missteps

Focuses on the fundamental and directional aspect of the mistakes.

central flaws

Highlights the core and inherent aspect of the mistakes as defects.

fundamental defects

Stresses that the mistakes are basic and intrinsic.

FAQs

How can I use "vital mistakes" in a sentence?

You can use "vital mistakes" to highlight critical errors that have significant repercussions, such as, "The project failed due to several "vital mistakes" in the planning phase."

What are some alternatives to "vital mistakes"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "critical errors", "crucial errors", or "significant oversights".

When is it appropriate to use "vital mistakes"?

It is appropriate to use "vital mistakes" when you want to emphasize the serious and consequential nature of errors that have been made.

Is "vital mistakes" a formal or informal phrase?

"Vital mistakes" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it is important to ensure that the tone of your writing matches the severity of the mistakes being discussed.