willful error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "willful error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mistake made intentionally or with a conscious disregard for the truth. Example: "The auditor found that the discrepancies in the financial report were due to willful error rather than oversight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the era of #MeToo and #TimesUp, this sanctified discrimination can finally be seen for what it is — less an error of mind, perhaps, than a willful error of soul.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He said the number of willful errors was "minuscule," involving a "couple over the past decade".

The New York Times

What makes the small untruths "resonate," as the consultants say, is that they were embedded in a latticework of infinitely more consequential untruths, willful errors, and outright lies.

The New Yorker

The report did slam the Obama administration for its handling of the aftermath of the attacks, citing a combination of bureaucratic inefficiency, personal error, and willful ignorance of intelligence for the bungled response.

Vice

The penalty of death is too permanent to accept inevitable errors or willful misconduct by the police, judges or prosecutors.

The New York Times

"The public pays in multiple ways" for errors or willful misconduct by law enforcement officials, said John Conroy, a veteran reporter, association senior investigator and co-writer of the report.

The New York Times

It's a dramatic history, full of missteps and accidental discoveries, manipulations and malfeasance, outsized personalities and egos, inadvertent deaths born of ignorance as well as human error, and the willful killing of thousands of people when two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan.

Los Angeles Times

"Based on our actions today, it should be perfectly clear that Andersen will not tolerate unethical behavior, gross errors in judgment or willful violation of our policies," he said.

The New York Times

Joseph Berardino Joseph Berardino, the CEO at the time, added "Andersen will not tolerate unethical behavior, gross errors in judgment or willful violation of our policies".

Forbes

Is Wills's blindness willful?

The New York Times

Or, people will have a willful ignorance to it.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "willful error" to specifically denote an error made with intent or conscious disregard for accuracy. It implies a degree of culpability beyond simple negligence.

Common error

Avoid using "willful error" when describing accidental or unintentional errors. Reserve it for situations where there's evidence of deliberate intent or blatant disregard for correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "willful error" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "willful" modifies the noun "error". According to Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct phrase. It describes an error that is made deliberately or with a conscious disregard for potential negative outcomes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "willful error" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a mistake made intentionally or with conscious disregard. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and the real-world examples highlight its usage in contexts where accountability is important. While the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, its neutral tone makes it applicable in various settings. To ensure precise communication, use "willful error" when the intent or knowledge of the mistake is pertinent, and avoid it when describing unintentional errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliberate mistake

Emphasizes the intentional nature of the error, highlighting that it was done on purpose.

intentional fallacy

Specifically refers to a mistake in reasoning or logic that is committed deliberately.

conscious blunder

Highlights the awareness of the error at the time it was made.

purposeful inaccuracy

Focuses on the aim or goal behind the incorrectness, suggesting it serves a specific function.

calculated mistake

Indicates that the error was planned or strategized.

premeditated error

Suggests the error was thought out and planned in advance.

knowing misstep

Highlights the awareness and acceptance of the error as it occurs.

voluntary fault

Emphasizes the choice to commit the error, highlighting the individual's agency.

designed flaw

Suggests that the error was intentionally incorporated as a feature or element.

orchestrated mistake

Implies that the error was carefully arranged or coordinated.

FAQs

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

You can use "willful error" to describe situations where a mistake was made intentionally or with a conscious disregard for the truth. For example: "The investigation revealed that the discrepancies were not due to oversight, but to "willful error"".

What are some alternatives to "willful error"?

Alternatives include "deliberate mistake", "intentional fallacy", or "conscious blunder", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "willful error" and a simple mistake?

"Willful error" implies a deliberate or conscious decision to make a mistake, or a knowing disregard for accuracy. A simple mistake, on the other hand, is unintentional and often due to oversight or lack of knowledge.

Is "willful error" a legal term?

While not exclusively a legal term, "willful" is often used in legal contexts to indicate intent or knowledge. Using the phrase "willful error" can suggest a higher degree of culpability in legal or formal settings.