Error vs. Err — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 22, 2023
"Error" is a noun referring to a mistake or inaccuracy, while "err" is a verb meaning to make a mistake.
Difference Between Error and Err
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Error" is a noun that denotes a mistake, inaccuracy, or deviation from correctness or accuracy. It is used in various contexts, such as computational, grammatical, or general mistakes. On the other hand, "err" functions primarily as a verb, suggesting the action of making a mistake or going astray in thought or belief.
In many contexts, "error" is used to signify a specific mistake that has been made, be it in computation, decision-making, or even in judgment. "Err," in its verb form, highlights the act or process of going wrong. It might be used to describe someone making an incorrect choice or having a lapse in judgment.
The word "error" can often be seen in technical or formal contexts. For example, in computing, we might come across a "system error." However, "err" is more about the human tendency to make mistakes, suggesting fallibility. A common saying is "to err is human," emphasizing that making mistakes is a natural part of the human experience.
In essence, while "error" identifies the mistake itself, "err" focuses on the act of making that mistake. Both words are essential in the English language to express the concept of mistakes, but their usage and contexts differ based on their respective grammatical roles.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Verb
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Meaning
A mistake or inaccuracy.
To make a mistake or go astray.
Common Usage
System error, spelling error.
To err on the side of caution.
Context
Technical, formal, general.
Human fallibility, action of mistake
Example Phrases/Sayings
"Human error," "Error in judgment."
"To err is human."
Compare with Definitions
Error
A deviation from accuracy or correctness.
The student made an error in his calculations.
Err
To make a mistake or miscalculation.
She erred in estimating the project's costs.
Error
A mistaken belief or incorrect judgment.
Her refusal was based on an error in understanding the situation.
Err
To deviate from what is proper or correct.
It's better to err on the side of caution.
Error
(nonstandard) To err.
Err
To stray morally or ethically.
He erred by betraying his friend's trust.
Error
A malfunction or glitch in a system or machine.
The software displayed an error message.
Err
To go astray in thought or belief.
To err is to be human.
Error
Sin; transgression.
Err
Be mistaken or incorrect; make a mistake
The judge had erred in ruling that the evidence was inadmissible
Error
Part of a statement that is not correct;
The book was full of errors
Err
To make an error or misjudgment
I erred in turning onto the dead-end street.
Error
An error (from the Latin error, meaning "wandering") is an action which is inaccurate or incorrect. In some usages, an error is synonymous with a mistake.
Err
To commit an act that is wrong; do wrong.
Error
A mistake
An error of judgement
Spelling errors
Err
(Archaic) To stray.
Error
A mistake.
Err
To make a mistake.
He erred in his calculations, and made many mistakes.
Error
(Mathematics) The difference between a computed or measured value and a true or theoretically correct value.
Err
(intransitive) To sin.
Error
Abbr. E(Baseball) A defensive fielding or throwing misplay by a player when a play normally should have resulted in an out or prevented an advance by a base runner.
Err
(archaic) to stray.
Error
(uncountable) The state, quality, or condition of being wrong.
Err
To wander; to roam; to stray.
What seemeth to you, if there were to a man an hundred sheep and one of them hath erred.
Error
(countable) A mistake; an accidental wrong action or a false statement not made deliberately.
Err
To deviate from the true course; to miss the thing aimed at.
Error
The difference between a measured or calculated value and a true one.
Err
To miss intellectual truth; to fall into error; to mistake in judgment or opinion; to be mistaken.
The man may err in his judgment of circumstances.
Error
A play which is scored as having been made incorrectly.
Err
To deviate morally from the right way; to go astray, in a figurative sense; to do wrong; to sin.
Do they not err that devise evil?
Error
Any alteration in the DNA chemical structure occurring during DNA replication, recombination or repairing.
Err
To offend, as by erring.
Error
(computing) To function improperly due to an error, especially accompanied by error message.
The web-page took a long time to load and errored out.
Remove that line of code and the script should stop erroring there.
This directory errors with a "Permission denied" message.
Err
To make a mistake or be incorrect
Error
(telecommunications) To show or contain an error or fault.
The block transmission errored near the start and could not be received.
Err
Wander from a direct course or at random;
The child strayed from the path and her parents lost sight of her
Don't drift from the set course
Error
A wandering; a roving or irregular course.
The rest of his journey, his error by sea.
Err
To misjudge or misunderstand.
She erred in her assessment of the situation.
Error
A wandering or deviation from the right course or standard; irregularity; mistake; inaccuracy; something made wrong or left wrong; as, an error in writing or in printing; a clerical error.
Error
A departing or deviation from the truth; falsity; false notion; wrong opinion; mistake; misapprehension.
His judgment was often in error, though his candor remained unimpaired.
Error
A moral offense; violation of duty; a sin or transgression; iniquity; fault.
Error
The difference between the approximate result and the true result; - used particularly in the rule of double position.
Error
The difference between an observed value and the true value of a quantity.
Error
A mistake in the proceedings of a court of record in matters of law or of fact.
Error
A fault of a player of the side in the field which results in failure to put out a player on the other side, or gives him an unearned base.
Error
A wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention;
He made a bad mistake
She was quick to point out my errors
I could understand his English in spite of his grammatical faults
Error
Inadvertent incorrectness
Error
A misconception resulting from incorrect information
Error
(baseball) a failure of a defensive player to make an out when normal play would have sufficed
Error
(computer science) the occurrence of an incorrect result produced by a computer
Error
A misstep or fault in a process or decision.
The team's error cost them the game.
Error
An incorrect or false belief or statement.
The rumor was based on an error.
Error
An act, assertion, or belief that unintentionally deviates from what is correct, right, or true.
Error
The condition of having incorrect or false knowledge.
Error
The act or an instance of deviating from an accepted code of behavior.
Error
A failure to complete a task, usually involving a premature termination.
Error
One or more mistakes in a trial that could be grounds for review of the judgement.
Error
Departure from what is ethically acceptable
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between "error" and "err"?
"Error" is a noun indicating a mistake, while "err" is a verb meaning to make a mistake.
Can "err" be used as a noun?
No, "err" is primarily used as a verb. When referring to the mistake itself, "error" is the appropriate noun.
How is "error" commonly used in technical contexts?
In technical contexts, "error" often refers to system malfunctions or glitches, such as a "system error" or "software error."
Is "err" related to the phrase "to err is human"?
Yes, the phrase "to err is human" uses "err" to emphasize the natural human tendency to make mistakes.
Can "error" also refer to moral or ethical mistakes?
Yes, "error" can be used broadly to indicate any deviation from what is right or true, including moral or ethical mistakes.
How do you use "err" in a sentence?
"Err" is used as a verb, as in the sentence "He erred in his judgment."
Is "error" always negative in connotation?
While "error" generally denotes a mistake, it is not always negative, especially when used in contexts like "trial and error," where making mistakes is part of a learning process.
Can "err" be used to indicate a deliberate deviation?
Typically, "err" implies unintentional mistakes. Deliberate deviations would be described with different verbs or phrases.
Are "error" and "mistake" synonymous?
While they are similar and often used interchangeably, "error" often has a more formal or technical connotation, whereas "mistake" is more general.
Is "err" commonly used in everyday speech?
While it's understood and can be used in everyday speech, phrases like "make a mistake" are more commonly used than "err."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
