erring

Thân thiện

A teacher gently corrects an erring student's math problem.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Capable of making errors; prone to mistakes: Describes a person, entity, or action that is fallible or likely to commit errors or sins.
   • Straying from what is right or moral; sinning: Describes the state of having deviated from accepted standards, especially moral or ethical ones.

Usage and Examples

• As an adjective:
  • He acknowledged his own erring nature in the complex situation. (He admitted his own fallible nature in the complex situation.)
  • The prophet spoke of forgiveness for the erring souls. (The prophet spoke of forgiveness for the sinning souls.)
  • An erring judgment in this case could have serious consequences. (A mistaken judgment in this case could have serious consequences.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The erring: Used as a nominalized adjective to refer collectively to people who have sinned or gone astray.
  • The sermon focused on redemption for the erring. (The sermon focused on redemption for those who have sinned.)
• Erring on the side of...: This is a common idiomatic phrase. Note: This is a distinct phrase where "erring" functions as part of a verb phrase ("to err on the side of"). It is listed here due to its high frequency, but the core word remains "err."
  • It's better to err on the side of caution. (It's wiser to choose caution, even if it might be a mistake.)

Variants and Related Words

• Err (verb): To make a mistake or be incorrect.
  • To err is human; to forgive, divine.
• Error (noun): A mistake.
• Errant (adjective): Straying from the proper course or standards. Often used in formal or literary contexts (e.g., , ).
• Erroneous (adjective): Wrong; incorrect (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Fallible: Capable of making mistakes.
• Sinful: Wicked or immoral.
• Wayward: Difficult to control or predict because of willful behavior.
• Mistaken: Wrong in opinion or judgment.

Antonyms

• Infallible: Incapable of making mistakes.
• Virtuous: Having high moral standards.
• Correct: Free from error.

Notes on Usage

• "Erring" as an adjective is more formal and less common in everyday speech than words like "mistaken" or "fallible." It is often found in religious, philosophical, or literary contexts.
• The related verb "to err" is the base form and is used in the common phrase "to err is human."
• Be careful not to confuse the adjective "erring" with the present participle of the verb "to err." In a sentence like "He is erring by not listening," the word "erring" is a verb form. As an adjective, it typically describes a characteristic (e.g., ).

Học thuật

Adjective

1. capable of making an error
   • all men are error-prone

Từ đồng nghĩa

• error-prone