was made in error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was made in error" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that a mistake was made, either by yourself or someone else. For example, "I apologize for the mistake - it was made in error."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

I thought the request was made in error.

The New York Times

The hard-working staff here at Spoiler Alerts apologizes if this inference was made in error].

The Washington Post

The gesture was made "in error, innocently, mistakenly, even stupidly," Mr. Sorkin said.

The New York Times

Ross says she was told the posting was made in error.

The Guardian

*Correction: This quote, used often by this writer and others, was made in error.

The New Yorker

On Thursday, M.L.B. confirmed the ruling was made in error, but said no action would be taken.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

A source connected to the case told Fairfax Media last week the payment had been made in error and was intended for the children's mother, Sally Faulkner.

The Guardian

Bossie told me that the tax filing must have been made in error: the payment was actually for Bannon's "film development" work.

The New Yorker

Sometimes a judgment is made in error, she said, but it nevertheless can be considered an inherent risk of the trip.

The New York Times - Travel

Its chief executive, Stewart Regan, has written to the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) to seek a public admission that Neymar's comments were made in error.

The Guardian - Sport

Elferink said he "often pleads to the house for better standards" and expected as much of himself, but his comments were made in error and he had a duty to apologise.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was made in error", ensure the context clearly indicates what the error refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. For example, instead of "The change was made in error", specify "The change to the date was made in error".

Common error

While "was made in error" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider active voice alternatives where appropriate. For example, instead of "The decision was made in error", try "Someone made an error in the decision" if the actor is known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was made in error" functions as a statement indicating that a mistake occurred during a process or action. It's a passive construction that highlights the existence of the error rather than the actor who made it. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

5%

Science & Research

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was made in error" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to acknowledge that a mistake has occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific and business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what specific action or decision contains the error. While grammatically sound, be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active voice alternatives for stronger writing where appropriate. Related phrases, such as "occurred by mistake" or "done erroneously", can offer stylistic variations while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was done erroneously

Highlights that the action was based on incorrect information or judgment.

was due to an inaccuracy

Specifies that the problem came from incorrect or imprecise information.

occurred by mistake

Focuses on the accidental nature of the event.

resulted from an imprecision

Similar to inaccuracy, emphasizing a lack of exactness.

happened inadvertently

Emphasizes the unintentional aspect of the action.

arose from a miscalculation

Points to an error in a mathematical or logical process.

was committed unintentionally

Highlights the lack of intent behind the error.

stemmed from an oversight

Indicates that the mistake resulted from a failure to notice something important.

was an accidental slip

Implies a minor, unintentional mistake.

was a result of a blunder

Suggests a significant mistake or act of carelessness.

FAQs

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

You can use "was made in error" to indicate that a mistake occurred. For example, "The payment "was made in error" and will be refunded".

What's a formal alternative to "was made in error"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "occurred erroneously" or "resulted from an inaccuracy" as alternatives.

Is it better to say "was made in error" or "was done in error"?

Both phrases are grammatically acceptable. "Was made in error" is slightly more common in contemporary usage, but "was done in error" is also understandable.

What is the difference between "was made in error" and "was unintentional"?

"Was made in error" indicates that a mistake occurred. While an unintentional action /s/unintentional may very well be one of error, unintentional does not specify whether something has been wrongly implemented or whether the unintended action has been committed on valid basis.