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Cup cake Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Sentence check: error
Hi Everyone,
I'm creating some exercises based on the word, 'error'.
I would like to know why we can say this:
'Paul has misspelled her name by mistake.'
BUT, we wouldn't say this:
'Paul has misspelled her name by error.'
Yet, we can say this:
'Paul has misspelled her name in error.'
* or can we? *
Thanks
CC
I'm creating some exercises based on the word, 'error'.
I would like to know why we can say this:
'Paul has misspelled her name by mistake.'
BUT, we wouldn't say this:
'Paul has misspelled her name by error.'
Yet, we can say this:
'Paul has misspelled her name in error.'
* or can we? *
Thanks
CC
Top answer
There is frequently no logic or system with prepositions. They are a law unto themselves.
- There is frequently no logic or system with prepositions.
- They are a law unto themselves.
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6 Answers
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There is frequently no logic or system with prepositions. They are a law unto themselves.
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Cup cake would like to know why we can say this:'Paul has misspelled her name by mistake.'BUT, we wouldn't say this:'Paul has misspelled her name by error.'Surely you must have noticed by now that English has many idiomatic peculiarities of preposition use!
by mistake
in error
by car
in my car
in the mor
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Thanks Mr. M.
Yes, of course. However, I like to have every 'T' crossed and 'i' dotted when explaining it.
It's not actually the preposition that's the problem. I think it's the word 'error'.
I've just looked up a number of blogs about the word, thus having read things like 'error' is mainly used for coding and technical issues. I don't actually agree with that, which is
Yes, of course. However, I like to have every 'T' crossed and 'i' dotted when explaining it.
It's not actually the preposition that's the problem. I think it's the word 'error'.
I've just looked up a number of blogs about the word, thus having read things like 'error' is mainly used for coding and technical issues. I don't actually agree with that, which is
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"by mistake" is just a common expression, whereas "by error" is not.
See the "Usage notes" here -- http://www.dictionary.com/browse/mistake
1. inaccuracy, erratum, fault, oversight. Mistake, blunder, error, slip refer to deviations from right, accuracy, correctness, or truth. A mistake, grave
See the "Usage notes" here -- http://www.dictionary.com/browse/mistake
1. inaccuracy, erratum, fault, oversight. Mistake, blunder, error, slip refer to deviations from right, accuracy, correctness, or truth. A mistake, grave
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Thank you AlpheccaStars. From all the information I've viewed, it seems that one is based on bad choices, and the other is based on inaccurate information, thus leading to an 'error'.
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