was in error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was in error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone made a mistake or was incorrect about something. Example: "The report stated that the data was accurate, but it was in error."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Later Friday, the university said it was "in error" when it reported that Jordan had earned a degree from Rutgers.

The New York Times - Sports

Monrovia resident Morris Koon said the government was "in error" and needed "to plan better" before enforcing it.

BBC

Your mother was in error".

The New York Times - Books

That report was in error.

The New York Times

That conclusion was in error.

Harvard University

"Dale realized he was in error.

The New York Times - Sports

But perhaps Brecht was in error.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mrs. Puglisi said that such a view was in error.

The New York Times

On the second try, my given name was in error.

The New York Times - Travel

Zinke later said the foundation's report was in error.

The Washington Post

"Was that a judgment call that was in error?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and precision, follow "was in error" with a brief explanation of what the error was and, if possible, the correct information.

Common error

Avoid using "was in error" in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "was wrong" or "made a mistake" are often more appropriate for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was in error" functions as a declarative statement, asserting that something contained an inaccuracy or mistake. Ludwig AI shows its common use in correcting previously stated information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

31%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was in error" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something contained a mistake or inaccuracy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used across diverse authoritative sources, especially in news, academic, and formal business contexts. While interchangeable with simpler phrases like "was wrong" in informal settings, "was in error" provides a more formal tone suitable for professional communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly was incorrect and consider more casual alternatives for everyday conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was mistaken

Replaces "in error" with the adjective "mistaken", offering a more direct synonym.

was incorrect

Substitutes "in error" with the adjective "incorrect", providing a straightforward alternative.

was wrong

Offers a simpler, more informal way of saying someone was mistaken.

erred

Uses the verb "erred" as a concise and slightly more formal substitute.

made a mistake

Replaces the entire phrase with a verb-based expression indicating the act of making an error.

was at fault

Indicates that someone bears responsibility for an error or mistake.

was to blame

Similar to "was at fault", emphasizing culpability for the mistake.

miscalculated

Specifies the type of error as a miscalculation, suitable when numbers or data are involved.

misjudged

Implies that the error was a result of poor judgment or assessment.

was off base

An idiomatic expression meaning someone's statement or idea was incorrect or misguided.

FAQs

How can I use "was in error" in a sentence?

You can use "was in error" to indicate that something was incorrect or mistaken. For example, "The initial report "was in error", and a revised version has been issued."

What's a more casual way to say "was in error"?

More casual alternatives to "was in error" include phrases like "was wrong" or "made a mistake", which are suitable for informal conversations.

Is "was in error" the same as "was mistaken"?

While similar, "was in error" often implies a more formal acknowledgment of an inaccuracy, whereas "was mistaken" can refer to a misunderstanding or misjudgment.

When is it appropriate to use "was in error" instead of "was wrong"?

"Was in error" is more appropriate in formal settings, such as official reports or academic papers, while "was wrong" is better suited for casual or informal communication.