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Feb 6th, 2006, 06:54 pm
| | eslHQ Member | | Join Date: Feb 6th, 2006
Posts: 5
| |  commit a mistake?
Is it possible to say commit a mistake?
Thanks for your help.
Mônica |
Feb 7th, 2006, 12:18 am
|  | Administrator | | Join Date: Dec 10th, 2004 Location: Montreal Age: 50
Posts: 1,224
| | Re: commit a mistake?
it's not technically wrong though it isn't used. we usually say:
"commit a crime"
and
"make a mistake"
eric |
Feb 12th, 2006, 06:47 pm
| | eslHQ Member | | Join Date: Dec 23rd, 2005 Location: Canada
Posts: 15
| | Re: commit a mistake?
In novels and magazine articles you might see "commit" used with "error", for example "he committed a grave error" but that's really for dramatic effect! |
Mar 21st, 2006, 09:06 am
|  | www.eslelite.com | | Join Date: Mar 20th, 2006 Location: Canada
Posts: 41
| | Re: commit a mistake?
I'm pretty sure that I've also heard "commit an error", but make a mistake is the norm.  |
Mar 21st, 2006, 09:07 am
| | www.eslelite.com | | Join Date: Mar 20th, 2006 Location: Canada
Posts: 41
| | Re: commit a mistake?
Oh, I just read TLR's comment...ulp...sorry. So, yeah, the main point here (must stay focused) is not to make a mistake.  |
Mar 21st, 2006, 09:08 am
| | Administrator | | Join Date: Dec 10th, 2004 Location: Montreal Age: 50
Posts: 1,224
| | Re: commit a mistake?
i think i've heard "commit an error" too but not a mistake... |
Apr 22nd, 2006, 08:02 am
| | panda | | Join Date: Apr 20th, 2006 Location: Argentina Age: 48
Posts: 10
| | Re: commit a mistake?
mmm... I don't like how it sounds... but I would understand what you mean... it's not grammatically correct but understandable...
Natalia.  |
Apr 24th, 2006, 11:29 pm
| | eslHQ superstar! | | Join Date: Mar 27th, 2005 Location: Japan
Posts: 1,693
| | Re: commit a mistake?
I'm going to take a stab at it.
'commit' has the feeling of an offense, harm, or damage done. It also seems wittingly done. Thus, we use it with crime, murder, an offense...
A mistake is generally an accident or and done without malicious intent, generally unwittingly. So, it doesn't go well with commit.
'error' plays both sides of the fense. It can be used for both deliberate and unintentional actions and effects. So, we can use 'commit' with 'error' as well as 'make.' |
Jun 17th, 2006, 04:08 am
| | eslHQ Member | | Join Date: Jun 17th, 2006
Posts: 1
| | Re: commit a mistake?
No
Make a mistake
Commit a crime
Reagards
NY |
Jun 17th, 2006, 10:56 am
| | eslHQ Member | | Join Date: Dec 23rd, 2005 Location: Canada
Posts: 15
| | Re: commit a mistake?
I like your explanation mesmark! Very clear. I'll come to you next time I'm looking for a grammar rule!!
Cheers!
TLR |
Jun 17th, 2006, 10:56 am
| | eslHQ Member | | Join Date: Dec 23rd, 2005 Location: Canada
Posts: 15
| | Re: commit a mistake?
I like your explanation mesmark! Very clear. I'll come to you next time I'm looking for a grammar rule!!
Cheers!
TLR |
Jun 20th, 2006, 10:48 pm
| | eslHQ superstar! | | Join Date: Mar 27th, 2005 Location: Japan
Posts: 1,693
| | Re: commit a mistake?
Quote: |
Quote TLR I like your explanation mesmark! Very clear. I'll come to you next time I'm looking for a grammar rule!!
Cheers!
TLR | Oh no  !
It's all fun and games wen you know the answer or can figure it out. It's really frustrating at other times. | |
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