this is surely a mistake vs It is surely a mistake

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "This is surely a mistake" is more specific and refers to something that is currently happening or has just happened. On the other hand, "It is surely a mistake" is more general and can refer to a mistake in a broader sense.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 959 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"this is surely a mistake"

This phrase is used to emphasize that something is definitely a mistake, especially when referring to a specific situation or action.

Examples:

This is surely a mistake. We need to correct it immediately.
This is surely a mistake. I can't believe it happened.

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Surely this is a mistake, as we are investing in infrastructure that is essential for economic growth to create a stronger economy and a stable growth environment.
Yes... no, surely a mistake...
And it was surely not a mistake for us to attempt to do something which was virtually impossible in the short term.
I felt as if I was unworthy, that a mistake had surely been made and at a moment's notice someone would unveil me as a fraud.
This is surely a good thing.
This is surely a critical point, as indeed was demonstrated by the recent Franco-German document.
This is surely a state of affairs which cannot be tolerated.
This is surely a positive outcome.
Me son is not faring well, and this is surely a grand prize.
This is surely a better model for the organisation of our continent than the control of all cross-border matters from Brussels.
This is surely a case of excessively literal implementation that could not possibly have been envisaged by the directive's framers.
This is surely a way for non-allied, neutral countries to find their own way as members of the European Union while, at the same time, allowing collaboration in practically all circumstances.
There must be some mistake, surely.
You made a point about higher prices in the harvest, but it seems that the costs of producing food are now increasing faster than prices are rising and this is surely a problem that Europe needs to address.
This is surely the biggest challenge facing humanity today.
Well, there's some mistake, surely.
Our opinion is that small and mediumsized companies are particularly important from the point of view of employment - incidentally this is surely a subject for the employment summit next week - and that in this context they must be encouraged more strongly.
This is surely the mark of corruption.
For this is surely not your first excursion to this corner of London here.
This is surely part of her design.

Alternatives:

This must be a mistake
This is definitely a mistake
This is clearly a mistake
This is undoubtedly a mistake
This is obviously a mistake

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"It is surely a mistake"

This phrase is used to express a general opinion that something is definitely a mistake without referring to a specific situation or action.

Examples:

It is surely a mistake to trust him with important tasks.
It is surely a mistake to ignore the warning signs.

Show examples from the web [+]

Yes... no, surely a mistake...
And it was surely not a mistake for us to attempt to do something which was virtually impossible in the short term.
I felt as if I was unworthy, that a mistake had surely been made and at a moment's notice someone would unveil me as a fraud.
Surely this is a mistake, as we are investing in infrastructure that is essential for economic growth to create a stronger economy and a stable growth environment.
There must be some mistake, surely.
It is surely a call to press forward, not retreat.
It is surely a decision for consumers.
Well, there's some mistake, surely.
It is surely a perfectly sensible question for the citizen to ask 'What happens if I vote no?'.
It is surely a breach of EU law, which requires nondiscrimination on the grounds of nationality.
It is surely a matter of very great regret that this determination to tackle BSE has taken so long to emerge.
It is surely a matter of summoning up the will, at a given moment, to protect the citizenry of our countries.
Cyprus is surely a completely separate case.
The intention is surely a good one, but it is interesting, for example, that the MEPs in my group more or less unanimously feel that there is no urgent need for this and that it is not necessary in these economically meagre times.
Mr President, it is surely a very good thing that the Council and the Commission are concerned that skills, abilities and competences acquired at school, in working life or in leisure time, should be, as far as possible, mutually recognised.
Commissioner, it is surely a supreme irony that such an issue - which is all about social dialogue and two sides of industry getting together - should actually fall at the first fence because the ETUC refuses to sit down and discuss it.
It is surely a win-win situation - both dealing with our massive stockpiles of waste and providing an alternative energy supply source, particularly as we face an energy crisis and increasing dependence upon insecure foreign supplies of oil.
Our friendship is surely a private matter.
My allegiance and 100 pieces is surely a fair price.
This is surely a good thing.

Alternatives:

It must be a mistake
It is definitely a mistake
It is clearly a mistake
It is undoubtedly a mistake
It is obviously a mistake

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this is surely a mistake vs It is surely a mistake