MISTAKE OR ERROR? EXERCISE 1/EFL (B1/B2)

level: Intermediate (B1/B2)

Concept review Mistake and error overlap a lot, and in general use, either word usually works: "You made three mistakes/errors."

The real difference shows up in a handful of fixed expressions, where only one word is correct:
• by mistake (not "by error"): "I took your umbrella by mistake."
• in error (not "in mistake"): "The letter was sent in error."
• make no mistake: a fixed idiom meaning "make sure you understand this"
• my mistake: the standard way to say "sorry, that was me"

Register also plays a role. Error tends to sound more formal or technical (a computer error, an error in judgment), while mistake is the everyday, general-purpose word.

READY TO PRACTICE? LET’S GO!

Choose mistake or error to complete each sentence. If both can be used, write BOTH.

1. You made three (mistakes, errors, BOTH) on your test.✓

2. We sent you that letter in . (mistake, error, BOTH) ( = by accident)✓

3. We sent you that letter by . (mistake, error, BOTH) ( = by accident)✓

4. I'm sorry, my . (mistake, error, BOTH) I thought you were someone else.✓

5. The computer keeps giving me (mistake, error, BOTH) messages.✓

6. My teacher always points out my . (mistakes, errors, BOTH)✓

7. I thought he was an honest man, but I obviously made (a/an) (mistake, error, BOTH) in judgement.✓

8. There's (a/an) (mistake, error, BOTH) on my bill.✓

9. Make no (mistake, error, BOTH) about it: I will win this election.✓

10. It was (a/an) (mistake, error, BOTH) to have this argument.✓

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