was published in error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was published in error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was mistakenly published, often in the context of articles, reports, or announcements. Example: "The article regarding the new policy was published in error and has since been retracted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was published in error".

The Guardian - Business

A picture with the article was published in error.

The New York Times

An earlier version of this story was published in error.

The Guardian - Arts

An earlier picture with this article was published in error.

The New York Times

And a picture with the column was published in error.

The New York Times

In addition, an accompanying illustration was published in error.

The New York Times

The photo accompanying an article last Sunday about the violinist Midori was published in error.

The New York Times

A painting with the article, identified as an image of Henry Cavendish, was published in error.

The New York Times - Science

A photograph with the article, of shoes with paintings of $100 bills, was published in error.

The New York Times

A picture last Friday with the "36 Hours" column, about Duluth, Minn., was published in error.

The New York Times

A picture last Sunday with the Dining Out column was published in error.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When acknowledging an error, be specific about what "was published in error" and provide corrected information if available. This helps maintain credibility and transparency.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "was published in error" without clarifying the specific error. Provide details about the mistake and its correction to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was published in error" functions as a declarative statement used to acknowledge and correct a mistake in publication. Ludwig AI highlights its usage in numerous examples, primarily within news and media contexts. The phrase indicates that something should not have been published or contained incorrect information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was published in error" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily in the realm of news and media, to formally acknowledge and correct publication mistakes. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its role is to provide transparency and maintain credibility by admitting an error and often rectifying it with accurate information. When using this phrase, clarity and specificity are crucial to avoid further confusion. Alternatives like ""appeared in error"" or "was released by mistake" can be used depending on the specific context. Overall, the phrase serves as a clear and direct way to admit and address errors in published content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appeared in error

Focuses on the appearance of the incorrect information, rather than the act of publishing.

was released by mistake

Emphasizes the unintentional release of the information.

was issued in error

Highlights the incorrect issuing or distribution of something.

was printed incorrectly

Focuses specifically on errors in the printing process.

was erroneously published

Uses a more formal tone to indicate the mistake in publishing.

should not have been published

Indicates that the publication was inappropriate or unauthorized.

was disseminated in error

Highlights the incorrect distribution of the information.

was mistakenly printed

Emphasizes the mistake in the printing process itself.

appeared inadvertently

Focuses on the unintentional appearance of the content.

was wrongly publicized

Highlights the incorrect publicizing or advertising of something.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "was published in error"?

It means that information, such as an article, picture, or statement, /s/"appeared in error", indicating it should not have been published in its current form or at all.

What can I say instead of "was published in error"?

You can use alternatives like "was released by mistake", "should not have been published", or "appeared inadvertently depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was published in error" or "was published by mistake"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "was published in error" often carries a slightly more formal tone, making it suitable for professional or news contexts. "Was published by mistake" is generally more casual.

How should I correct something that "was published in error"?

Clearly acknowledge the error, state what "was published in error", explain the correct information, and apologize for any confusion caused. Transparency and clarity are key when issuing a correction.