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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
word error
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'word error' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a mistake made in a word choice or spelling. For example, "I'm embarrassed to admit it, but there was a word error in my essay that completely changed the meaning of my sentence."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Academia
Alternative expressions(20)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
54 human-written examples
The word "error" was never spoken.
News & Media
Word Error Rates (WER) and KWS results are reported for three different languages.
Results on the CHiME-3 benchmark show that the full set of techniques substantially reduced the word error rate (WER).
Science
word error rate.
where is the word error rate.
The ASR system is evaluated by word error rate (WER).
Table 2 Word Error Rate with artificial reduction in.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
4 human-written examples
Significant word error-rate performance has also been achieved by this new algorithm for in-car and military noisy environments.
Figure 2 Probability of code-word error for the rate-1/2 WiMAX code.
In describing automatic word correction research, Kukich enumerated three problem areas: (1) non-word error detection; (2) isolated-word error correction; and (3) context-dependent word correction [ 8].
"For example, we don't use the word 'fault.' We prefer to use the word 'error,' which has more proactive connotations".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When discussing speech recognition technology, specify the "word error" rate (WER) to quantify accuracy.
Common error
Avoid using "word error" when you actually mean a grammatical error. "Word error" refers to a specific word being incorrect, while a grammatical error involves incorrect sentence structure.
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "word error" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, referring to a mistake in word choice or spelling. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English.
Frequent in
Science
50%
News & Media
25%
Academia
25%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "word error" is a common and grammatically correct term, particularly prevalent in scientific, news, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, indicating it refers to mistakes in word choice or spelling. It’s frequently associated with the "word error" rate (WER) in speech recognition technology. While alternatives like "lexical error" or "verbal mistake" exist, "word error" remains a standard term in technical discussions. When using the term, ensure it's distinct from "grammatical error", which relates to sentence structure, not individual word choice.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
lexical error
Focuses specifically on errors related to vocabulary or word choice.
verbal mistake
A more general term for any error involving words, spoken or written.
language error
Broadly refers to any kind of error in language use, including grammar and vocabulary.
speech error
Specifically refers to errors in spoken language.
typographical error
A more specific term for errors in written or typed text.
transcription error
Refers to mistakes made while transcribing spoken language into written form.
misspoken word
Highlights the act of saying a word incorrectly.
incorrect wording
Focuses on the use of inappropriate or wrong words.
mistranslation
Specifically refers to errors in translating from one language to another.
slip of the tongue
An involuntary mistake in speaking, often revealing subconscious thoughts.
FAQs
How is "word error" rate used in speech recognition?
The "word error" rate (WER) is a common metric to measure the accuracy of speech recognition systems. It indicates the percentage of words that were incorrectly transcribed.
What's the difference between "word error" and "grammar error"?
"Word error" refers to an incorrect word choice or spelling, while a "grammar error" involves incorrect sentence structure or syntax. They are distinct types of linguistic mistakes.
What can I say instead of "word error"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "lexical error" for vocabulary issues, "verbal mistake" as a general term, or "speech error" specifically for spoken language mistakes.
In technical contexts, is "word error" the correct term?
Yes, in fields like speech recognition and data transmission, "word error" is the standard technical term to describe an error related to a specific word or code word.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested