we made an error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we made an error" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when acknowledging a mistake or fault in a situation, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "After reviewing the report, we made an error in the calculations that need to be corrected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Maybe we made an error not focusing on that".

The New York Times

"We made an error when we let him go.

The New York Times - Sports

Asked if he had made a journalistic error in approving the headline, he said: "I don't accept that we made an error at all.

The Guardian

"They'll never do this but they need to come out and say we made a mistake, we made an error of judgment, we wouldn't do that again.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, we made an error in launching the article with a headline that suggested Bishop had said there was an actual agreement in place.

The Guardian - Opinion

It issued a revised statement that said, "We made an error in blocking customers who wanted access to MSN, and we have corrected that".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

I work for a paper that rends its garments and apologizes endlessly whenever we make an error.

The New York Times

If we make an error in a design, we've wasted at most a few days' worth of production.

The New York Times

It dispenses with the fictional magic on which the Brontës and Dickens rely and forces us to ask whether love is just an enlightened calculation of financial advantage and whether, if we make an error of judgment, we can expect a second chance.

The Guardian - Film

"If it's really just an error -- 'we made a mistake ' -- that's not securities fraud," he said.

The New York Times

"We made a mistake, a quite serious selection error," Jan McKnight from Pennsylvania digital services PennDOT.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow up an admission of error with a clear explanation of how the error will be rectified to maintain trust and transparency.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly stating "we made an error" without outlining steps taken to fix it. Focus on solutions, not just admissions, to avoid eroding confidence.

Linguistic Context

"We made an error" functions as a statement of acknowledgement. Grammatically, it consists of a subject pronoun ("we"), a verb ("made"), an article ("an"), and a noun ("error"). Ludwig AI states the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we made an error" is a straightforward and grammatically correct way to admit a mistake, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While it's a suitable phrase for acknowledging errors, it's important to follow up with an explanation of corrective actions. Alternatives like "we were mistaken" or "we were at fault" can offer a slightly different tone depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were mistaken

Focuses on the state of being incorrect rather than the act of making an error.

we erred

A more formal and concise way of saying an error was made.

we were incorrect

States the fact of being wrong, rather than the action of making an error.

we committed a mistake

Uses "mistake" instead of "error", slightly less formal.

we were at fault

Shifts the focus to responsibility for the error.

we miscalculated

Specifically indicates an error in calculation or planning.

we slipped up

An informal way of saying a mistake was made, implying a minor error.

we dropped the ball

An idiomatic expression indicating a failure to fulfill a responsibility.

we blundered

Implies a clumsy or foolish mistake.

we goofed

Very informal, suggesting a silly or careless mistake.

FAQs

What's the difference between "we made an error" and "we made a mistake"?

While both phrases acknowledge a fault, "we made a mistake" is slightly more informal. "We made an error" can be perceived as more professional in certain contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "we made an error"?

Use "we made an error" when you need to formally acknowledge a mistake, particularly in professional or official communications. It shows accountability.

Are there situations where I should avoid using "we made an error"?

In situations where the mistake is extremely minor or insignificant, using "we slipped up" might be more appropriate to avoid overemphasizing the issue. Also, if the error was intentional or negligent, a more direct admission of fault might be necessary.

What can I say instead of "we made an error" to sound more empathetic?

To sound more empathetic, you could say "we were mistaken" or "we were at fault", which can soften the impact of the statement while still acknowledging responsibility.