B1 Collocation तटस्थ 3 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

common mistake

خطأ شائع

Use it to kindly point out a frequent error while making the person feel less embarrassed.

15 सेकंड में

  • An error that happens frequently among many different people.
  • A polite way to correct someone without being mean.
  • Used for predictable errors in learning, work, or daily life.

मतलब

This is an error that many people frequently make because it seems logical or easy to overlook. It is a mistake that is so widespread that it becomes a recognizable pattern in learning or daily life.

मुख्य उदाहरण

3 / 6
1

Correcting a language learner

Don't worry, forgetting the 's' in 'he speaks' is a common mistake.

Don't worry, forgetting the 's' in 'he speaks' is a common mistake.

🤝
2

In a professional meeting

A common mistake in marketing is ignoring the target audience's age.

A common mistake in marketing is ignoring the target audience's age.

💼
3

Texting a friend about a typo

Autocorrect changed 'home' to 'bone'—that's such a common mistake!

Autocorrect changed 'home' to 'bone'—that's such a common mistake!

😊
🌍

सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि

The phrase reflects a Western educational focus on 'error analysis' and the idea that mistakes are a shared part of the learning process. It is frequently used in self-help literature and business coaching to destigmatize failure. In the UK and US, it is a staple of 'polite correction' to avoid making others feel embarrassed.

💡

The 'Polite Correction' Trick

If you need to tell your boss they are wrong, start with 'Actually, it's a common mistake to think...' It sounds much safer!

⚠️

Don't overdo the 'Common'

If someone does something truly unique and weird, calling it a 'common mistake' might sound sarcastic or confusing.

15 सेकंड में

  • An error that happens frequently among many different people.
  • A polite way to correct someone without being mean.
  • Used for predictable errors in learning, work, or daily life.

What It Means

A common mistake is something people do wrong over and over again. It is not a unique or weird error. It is the kind of slip-up that happens because a rule is tricky. Think of it as a 'popular' error. If ten people take a test and eight miss the same question, that is a common mistake. It is the 'classic' way to mess something up.

How To Use It

You can use this phrase to be helpful or to soften a blow. Instead of saying 'You are wrong,' you say, 'That is a common mistake.' It makes the other person feel less lonely in their error. You usually place it after the verb 'to be' or use it as a noun phrase. For example, 'Mixing up "your" and "you're" is a common mistake.' It works perfectly when giving feedback or explaining a confusing topic.

When To Use It

Use it in the office when a teammate misses a deadline due to a confusing software setting. Use it when teaching a friend a new skill, like cooking or a language. It is great for texting when someone sends a typo. It is also perfect for self-correction. You can say, 'I made a common mistake and forgot my keys again.' It adds a touch of 'hey, we are all human' to the conversation.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use it for huge, catastrophic disasters. If someone accidentally burns down a house, calling it a common mistake sounds sarcastic or very rude. Avoid it when the error is extremely rare or unique to one person. Also, do not use it if you want to be very harsh or disciplinary. It is a 'gentle' phrase, so it does not fit in a high-stakes angry confrontation.

Cultural Background

In English-speaking cultures, people love to normalize failure to reduce anxiety. Using common mistake is a polite way to provide 'constructive criticism.' It suggests that the person is not 'stupid,' but simply fell into a well-known trap. There is a whole genre of internet articles titled '10 Common Mistakes...' because people are obsessed with avoiding these collective pitfalls. It is part of a 'growth mindset' culture.

Common Variations

You might hear people say frequent error in more technical settings. In casual talk, someone might call it an easy mistake to make. Teachers often call them typical errors. If the mistake is particularly silly, you might hear classic mistake. If you want to sound a bit more formal, you could use prevalent misconception. However, common mistake remains the king of everyday English.

इस्तेमाल की जानकारी

This phrase is extremely versatile and safe for almost any situation. It sits right in the middle of the formality scale, making it a 'must-know' for both social and professional English.

💡

The 'Polite Correction' Trick

If you need to tell your boss they are wrong, start with 'Actually, it's a common mistake to think...' It sounds much safer!

⚠️

Don't overdo the 'Common'

If someone does something truly unique and weird, calling it a 'common mistake' might sound sarcastic or confusing.

💬

The 'Classic' Twist

In the US, people often swap 'common' for 'classic' (e.g., 'Classic mistake!') when a friend does something predictably funny or silly.

उदाहरण

6
#1 Correcting a language learner
🤝

Don't worry, forgetting the 's' in 'he speaks' is a common mistake.

Don't worry, forgetting the 's' in 'he speaks' is a common mistake.

Softens the correction for a student.

#2 In a professional meeting
💼

A common mistake in marketing is ignoring the target audience's age.

A common mistake in marketing is ignoring the target audience's age.

Used to share professional wisdom or observations.

#3 Texting a friend about a typo
😊

Autocorrect changed 'home' to 'bone'—that's such a common mistake!

Autocorrect changed 'home' to 'bone'—that's such a common mistake!

Lighthearted and relatable.

#4 A humorous realization
😄

Thinking I could finish this pizza alone was a common mistake of mine.

Thinking I could finish this pizza alone was a common mistake of mine.

Self-deprecating humor about a personal habit.

#5 Giving advice to a sibling
💭

It's a common mistake to trust him with your secrets.

It's a common mistake to trust him with your secrets.

Used to give serious life advice based on experience.

#6 Formal academic writing
👔

It is a common mistake to assume that all data is accurate.

It is a common mistake to assume that all data is accurate.

Used to challenge a general assumption.

खुद को परखो

Choose the best word to complete the phrase.

Mixing up the twin brothers is a ___ mistake for new neighbors.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: common

While 'popular' means liked by many, 'common' describes something that happens frequently.

Complete the sentence to be polite.

It's a ___ mistake to forget your umbrella in London.

✓ सही! ✗ बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: common

'Common' is the polite and natural way to describe a frequent occurrence.

🎉 स्कोर: /2

विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स

Formality of 'Common Mistake'

Informal

Talking to friends about silly errors.

Classic mistake, dude!

Neutral

The standard way to use the phrase.

That is a common mistake.

Formal

Academic or professional reports.

This represents a common mistake in the field.

Where to use 'Common Mistake'

Common Mistake
🏫

Language Class

Grammar slips

💻

Office Training

Software errors

🍳

Cooking

Adding too much salt

❤️

Dating

Being late

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

No, it is actually the opposite! It is a polite way to say someone is wrong by suggesting many others do the same thing.

Usually no. You wouldn't say 'Robbing a bank is a common mistake.' It is reserved for errors in judgment, learning, or small accidents.

They are very similar. An easy mistake implies the error is simple to make, while a common mistake focuses on how many people make it.

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. For example: It is a common mistake to overlook the historical context.

It is always common mistake. 'Common' is the adjective describing the noun 'mistake'.

You can say, 'I made the common mistake of not checking the weather.' It makes you sound humble.

Yes, you can say common mistakes. For example: 'Here are the five most common mistakes in English.'

A popular slangy or casual version is calling something a rookie mistake, which means a mistake a beginner would make.

It is used equally in both. It is a universal English collocation.

No, that sounds very unnatural. 'Popular' implies people like the mistake, which isn't true!

संबंधित मुहावरे

Rookie mistake

A basic error made by someone inexperienced.

Easy mistake to make

An error that is very understandable given the circumstances.

Classic mistake

A typical or predictable error, often used humorously.

Honest mistake

An error made without any bad intentions.

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