Error vs. Mistake 

"Error" vs. "Mistake" in English

What Is Their Main Difference?

Both refer to doing something wrong. However, 'mistake' is less formal and it is insignificant compared to an 'error'. People make mistakes when they already have the knowledge but lack concern and attention. However, 'error' is more formal and when people have errors, it is because the lack the proper knowledge.

Differences

A 'mistake' often happens when someone has the proper knowledge to do something. However, they are not that concerned. It is like a slip of tongue. It is false less formal. Look at the examples below:

Example

Some people tend to make many small mistakes when conducting different tasks.

Ugh! I made a terrible mistake in my interview.

An 'error', however, is more formal and it happens when that person does no have the proper knowledge do something. So, they cannot correct it. They need guidance. Check out the following examples:

Example

I think everyone has seen the 'error 404' when using the internet.

Grammatical errors are ones that students don't know how to correct.

Similarities

Both refer to doing something the wrong way. For instance:

Example

With all my past mistakes, I'm still a respectable human being.

It is ok if you have grammatical errors.

Are They Interchangeable?

Although they both refer to doing something the wrong way, it is recommended that you do not use them interchangeably because the listener will get confused. Look:

Example

✓ When you go back to someone toxic and you know how toxic they are, you no longer made a mistake, you made a choice.

X When you go back to someone toxic and you know how toxic they are, you no longer made an error, you made a choice.

We do not have past errors.

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Anwar Ali
Feb 2023
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