was seriously in error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was seriously in error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone made a significant mistake or misjudgment in a particular situation. Example: "The committee's decision was seriously in error, leading to unintended consequences for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The predictions of Gaussian network theory are shown to be seriously in error.

Polymer

"The tacit consensus concerning the cerebral cortex as the 'organ of consciousness,' " Merker wrote, may "have been reached prematurely, and may in fact be seriously in error".

The New York Times - Magazine

Dr. Merker wrote that they appeared to smile and cry, and theorized that "the tacit consensus concerning the cerebral cortex as the 'organ of consciousness' " may "be seriously in error".

The New York Times - Health

But both the demon-free expectations of the novice reader of Marx's Foreword to Capital and the initial appearance, based on the dearth of typical Western ethical language, of a lack of evil in Marx's philosophical world turn out to be seriously in error.

Journal of Chinese Studies

Neither is seriously in contention.

The Economist

A recent well-publicized study (5) showed that an earlier influential analysis of economic data was seriously flawed, in part due to Excel programming errors, and entire professional groups and conferences (6) are devoted to analysing and recovering from similar disasters (5, 6).

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Kmart officials said in a statement on Friday that the study on which Target based its accusations was "seriously flawed" and included numerous errors.

The New York Times

After his failure to show up in Las Vegas — a major error if he was seriously intent on running — I'd guess that the real probability is even lower than that.

The New Yorker

Therefore, such information is seriously lacking in case of Bangladesh.

BMC Public Health

Aerobic exercise performance is seriously compromised in the heat.

European Journal of Applied Physiology

She was seriously injured".

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was seriously in error", ensure the context clearly identifies what was mistaken and the implications of the error. This enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "was seriously in error" to describe minor or insignificant mistakes. This can diminish the impact when describing genuinely critical errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was seriously in error" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a subject and indicating a state of being significantly mistaken or incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was seriously in error" is a grammatically correct way to describe something that is significantly mistaken or incorrect. Due to a lack of direct examples, assessing frequency and authoritative usage is challenging. However, Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity. When using the phrase, be sure to contextualize the nature and implications of the error to enhance clarity. Consider alternatives like "contained a major flaw" or "was significantly incorrect" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was significantly incorrect

Highlights the degree to which something deviates from the truth or accuracy.

contained a critical inaccuracy

Focuses on the presence of a crucial factual error.

led to a substantial error

Emphasizes the consequence of a process resulting in an issue of consequence.

involved a critical mistake

Focuses on the involvement of a crucial error in a particular process or decision.

turned out to be fundamentally flawed

Indicates that the error is deeply ingrained and affects the core aspects.

reflected a serious lapse in judgment

Highlights a failure to exercise sound decision-making abilities.

contained a major flaw

Emphasizes the presence of a significant defect or shortcoming.

represented a profound misunderstanding

Points to a deep lack of comprehension as the source of the error.

proved to be a grave miscalculation

Underscores the severe consequences resulting from an inaccurate assessment.

was based on a faulty premise

Identifies an unsound foundation or assumption as the root cause.

FAQs

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

Use "was seriously in error" to describe a situation where a significant mistake or misjudgment has occurred. For example, "The initial assessment of the project's feasibility "was seriously in error", leading to significant cost overruns".

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

You can use alternatives like "was significantly incorrect", "contained a major flaw", or "involved a critical mistake" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "was seriously in error" or "contained an error"?

"Was seriously in error" implies a more significant and consequential mistake than simply "contained an error". Use "was seriously in error" when the mistake has substantial implications.

What's the difference between "was seriously in error" and "was slightly off"?

"Was seriously in error" indicates a significant deviation from what is correct or accurate, whereas "was slightly off" suggests a minor and inconsequential discrepancy. The choice depends on the magnitude of the mistake.