miscalculate
B2Formal to Neutral. Commonly used in analytical, business, and scientific contexts, as well as everyday situations involving planning or judgment.
Definition
Meaning
To calculate or estimate incorrectly; to make an error in judgment or planning.
To form a mistaken judgment or conclusion, often with negative consequences, by failing to account for all relevant factors or by making an error in reasoning.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies an error in a process that was intended to be rational or numerical. It is typically used for significant errors with consequences, not trivial mistakes. It can be used both for mathematical errors and metaphorical 'calculations' of risk, time, or outcome.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Conveys a sense of professional or personal oversight, often with a tone of reproach or analysis of failure.
Frequency
Equally common and standard in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] miscalculates[subject] miscalculates [object][subject] miscalculates [wh-clause][subject] miscalculates [that-clause][subject] miscalculates by [amount/measure]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Miscalculate the lie of the land”
- “A fatal miscalculation”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to errors in forecasting budgets, market demand, project timelines, or investment returns. E.g., 'The board miscalculated the impact of the new regulations.'
Academic
Used in discussions of scientific experiments, statistical analysis, historical interpretations, or logical reasoning. E.g., 'The study's authors miscalculated the margin of error.'
Everyday
Commonly used for errors in time management, travel planning, cooking measurements, or social situations. E.g., 'I miscalculated how long the drive would take and missed the appointment.'
Technical
Specific to errors in engineering, computing, navigation, or mathematical modelling. E.g., 'The autopilot miscalculated the descent trajectory.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They miscalculated the budget deficit by nearly a billion pounds.
- If you miscalculate the tide, you could be stranded on the sandbank.
American English
- The campaign miscalculated the voter turnout in key districts.
- I totally miscalculated how much paint we'd need for the house.
adjective
British English
- A miscalculated risk led to the financial loss.
- His miscalculated move in the negotiation cost him the deal.
American English
- The project failed due to a series of miscalculated assumptions.
- She made a miscalculated attempt to intervene.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I miscalculated. We need three eggs, not two.
- He miscalculated the price.
- The builders miscalculated the amount of cement required.
- I'm sorry I'm late; I miscalculated the traffic.
- The company's strategy failed because they miscalculated public reaction to the price hike.
- Historians argue that the general fatally miscalculated the enemy's strength.
- Policymakers miscalculated the inflationary effects of quantitative easing, leading to a prolonged economic adjustment.
- The prosecution's case collapsed after it was revealed they had miscalculated the timeline of events.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MIS' (wrong) + 'CALCULATE' (work out). You did the maths or the thinking, but you did it WRONGLY.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING/JUDGING IS CALCULATING. Life is a mathematical problem. Risk is a calculus.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'пересчитать' (recalculate). 'Miscalculate' — именно 'ошибиться в расчётах/оценке'.
- Избегать буквального перевода как 'неправильно посчитать' в разговорной речи, где может подойти 'промахнуться', 'ошибиться'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect spelling: 'miscalculate' (correct), not 'miscalculate' or 'misscalculate'.
- Using 'miscalculate' for simple arithmetic errors made by children (better: 'get the sum wrong').
- Using 'calculate wrongly' – a non-idiomatic direct translation.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST synonym for 'miscalculate' in a business context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its core meaning involves numerical error, it is commonly used metaphorically for any serious error in judgment, planning, or estimation (e.g., miscalculating a risk, a person's reaction, or travel time).
The noun form is 'miscalculation'. Example: 'The launch delay was due to a simple miscalculation.'
They are often synonymous. 'Miscalculate' often implies a more analytical, quantitative, or step-by-step process that went wrong. 'Misjudge' can be more intuitive and is often used for interpersonal or situational assessments (e.g., misjudging a person's character).
Yes, though less common. Example: 'In our initial planning, we miscalculated.' More frequently, it takes a direct object (what was miscalculated) or is used in the passive voice.