There are many words in the English dictionary with different spellings but similar means, and they are confused by many people and are used wrongly in sentences by people.
Though both these words are stated to have similar meanings, they do have their differences. Two such words are Error and Mistake.
Key Takeaways
- An error is an unintentional deviation from accuracy or correctness; a mistake is an act or misguided judgement.
- Errors are related to technical or mechanical issues; mistakes are related to decision-making or judgement.
- Errors are made due to a lack of knowledge or skill; mistakes are made due to carelessness or lack of attention.
Error vs Mistake
An error refers to a deviation from accuracy or correctness resulting from a misunderstanding, oversight, or miscalculation. Conversely, a mistake is a wrong action or decision derived from poor judgment, inattention, or lack of knowledge.
The word ‘Error’ is a word that is used in a sentence by a person to denote something faulty. It denotes that something is wrong when a person uses this word in a sentence.
This word falls under a noun in the figures of speech. This word is observed to be used in technical and formal terms. The word Error is derived from the Latin words’ error or ‘error, which means to stray.
The word ‘mistake’ is a word that is used in a sentence by a person to denote something when someone does something wrong due to some bad judgment. This word also occurs when someone does something with ignorance or intention.
This word is derived from two old words, namely the ‘mistake. A person is said to make a mistake when he or she brings out a negative or bad result by doing something.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Error | Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Number of letters | This is a five-lettered word. | This is an eight-lettered word. |
| Rectification | This cannot be rectified. | This can be rectified. |
| Figures of speech | This is a noun. | This is a noun and a verb. |
| Intensity of fault | This is a severe fault. | This is a less severe fault. |
| Type of communication | This word is used more in technical language. | This word is used more in daily communication. |
What is Error?
The word ‘Error’ is the word that is used in a sentence by a person to denote something faulty. It denotes that something is wrong when a person uses this word in a sentence.
This word falls under a noun in the figures of speech. This word is observed to be used in technical and formal terms. The word Error is derived from the Latin words’ erroree or ‘errore, which means to stray.
An action performed by a person is stated to be an error when performing it against any code, rule, or specific model. A person doing anything stated to be violent is known as an error. A person cannot correct an error. It is used as a collective term.
The following are examples of some sentences in which the word error is used—
- This paper has several errors in writing.
- This article has several grammatical errors.
- There is an error that occurred while writing the legal terms and conditions.
- You have performed so many errors which cannot be rectified.
What is Mistake?
The word ‘mistake’ is a word that is used in a sentence by a person to denote something when someone does something wrong due to some bad judgment.
This word also occurs when someone does something with ignorance or intention. This word is derived from two old words, namely the ‘mistakaa.’ A person is said to make a mistake when he or she brings out a negative or bad result by doing something.
A mistake, in short, refers to an action that is done by mistake in a specific situation at a particular period. When a person performs a mistake, rectification can be done for that mistake.
A mistake can never be made by purpose in legal terms. This word is used in many ways by the general people in daily life.
The following are examples of some sentences in which the word mistake is used—
- I’m so sorry I have made a mistake.
- For mistakes, a person should apologize.
- She made a mistake by letting him inside the party.
- Everyone once in a lifetime makes many mistakes that can be corrected.
Main Differences Between Error and Mistake
- The word ‘Error’ is a noun when it is used in a sentence by a person. The word ‘mistake’ is a noun and a verb when it is used in a sentence by a person.
- The word ‘Error’ is commonly used in formal communication only when it a fault is made by a person. The word ‘mistake’ is Commons used in informal communication only when it is a fault made by a person.
- The word ‘Error’ is used in a sentence when a fault cannot be corrected or rectified, and on the other hand, the word ‘mistake’ is used in a sentence by a person when a fault can be corrected or rectified.
- An error made by a person when the fault made is severe, and on the other hand, a mistake made by a person when the fault made is less severe.
- Error is occurred due to a wrong judgment and ignorance by a person, and on the other hand, a mistake is occurred due to some performance based on some circumstance.
- https://psycnet.apa.org/journals/bul/101/1/75.html?uid=1987-15546-001
- http://203.189.120.189/ejournal/index.php/ing/article/view/15485
Last Updated : 14 October, 2023
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
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