“Error” vs. “Mistake”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “error” and “mistake”

  • Mistakes are usually the result of an action or decision, while errors are deviations from the expected or correct result.
  • Mistakes are associated with humans, while errors can be made by either humans or machines.
  • Mistakes are often due to a person's carelessness or misunderstanding, while errors can be inevitable negative results outside a human's control.
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What is the definition of “error” and “mistake”?

Error
  • An error refers to a deviation from the expected or correct result.
  • It can be caused by a lack of knowledge or skill.
  • Errors are typically unintentional.
Mistake
  • A mistake refers to a fault in judgment or a wrongful action.
  • It is usually due to carelessness or misunderstanding.
  • Mistakes are often preventable.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Error” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Error
2,560,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I kept on getting error messages on the website while trying to make a purchase.
  2. There were many spelling errors in her paper.
  3. The professor helped correct the student's errors in her thesis.
Mistake
513,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. He apologized for his mistake and promised to make it right.
  2. The chef's mistake led to a burnt meal.
  3. I made the mistake of purchasing the ticket without checking the seat number.
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