Mistakes and errors seem to be the same but there is a subtle difference between them. Mistake and error mean something that is done incorrectly or produces a wrong outcome. But the difference between these two words is in the context that they are used in.
Mistakes
Mistake is an action, decision or judgement that produces an unwanted or unintentional result.
It could be something you decide to do on your own initiative. If you are not satisfied with the result of your decision, you feel that you made a mistake.
Mistakes are made when a free choice is made, and later called “mistakes” when there is unwanted outcome. They are accidental. They are more informal.
Examples
• We all make mistakes.
• Leaving my native place had been the biggest mistake of my life.
• I made a mistake by joining this job.
Inviting him here was my mistake.
Errors
Errors are a deviation from accuracy or correctness. They are compared to the set of rules. The action is considered to be wrong, if it is different to the rules. Errors are made due to lack of knowledge. They are more technical and formal.There can be grammatical error, calculation error, experimental error.
Examples
• My child does a lot of grammatical errors.
• It was an error of judgement.
• There is some technical error in my computer.
• Machines make errors not mistakes.
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