Be overlooked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Be overlooked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is not noticed or given attention, often in a passive context. Example: "In the busy office, many important details can easily be overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Details can be overlooked.

The New York Times

"Good novels will be overlooked".

The New York Times - Books

This shouldn't be overlooked.

The Guardian - Sport

That vulnerability should not be overlooked.

The Economist

Johnson's race must not be overlooked.

Independent

This beat will not be overlooked.

The New Yorker

But she can't be overlooked anymore.

The New York Times - Sports

This in itself will never be overlooked.

The New York Times

Neither should anyone be overlooked.

The New York Times - Arts

Women continue to be overlooked.

The Washington Post

Can a superstar be overlooked?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be overlooked", ensure the subject and context clearly indicate what is failing to be noticed. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Ensure the verb "be" agrees with the subject. For example, use "is overlooked" for singular subjects and "are overlooked" for plural subjects, maintaining grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be overlooked" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is not noticed or given sufficient attention. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it is used to highlight potential oversights or failures in observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be overlooked" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to express the possibility of something being missed or ignored. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its prevalence across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. The phrase is generally neutral in register but often used in formal writing to emphasize potential oversights and the need for careful attention. Alternatives include "be missed" and "go unnoticed", each carrying slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and clarity in your writing to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be missed

Emphasizes the failure to notice or take advantage of something.

Go unnoticed

Highlights that something does not attract attention.

Be disregarded

Suggests a deliberate ignoring or dismissal of something.

Be ignored

Highlights a deliberate act of not paying attention.

Be forgotten

Indicates that something is no longer remembered or considered.

Be neglected

Focuses on a lack of care or attention.

Escape attention

Focuses on the way something avoids being noticed.

Be unheeded

Implies that a warning or advice is not listened to.

Be unseen

Emphasizes the absence of visibility.

Be unmarked

Refers to something that does not bear a sign.

FAQs

How can I use "be overlooked" in a sentence?

You can use "be overlooked" to indicate that something is not noticed or given enough attention. For example, "Important details can "easily be overlooked" in a rush."

What is a good alternative to "be overlooked"?

Alternatives include "be missed", "go unnoticed", or "be ignored", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate, "be overlooked" or "is overlooked"?

"Is overlooked" is used for singular subjects in the present tense, while "be overlooked" is used in modal constructions (e.g., "can be overlooked", "should be overlooked") or as part of a passive infinitive (e.g., "to be overlooked").

What's the difference between "be overlooked" and "overlook"?

"Overlook" is an active verb meaning 'to fail to notice something', while "be overlooked" is a passive construction indicating that something is not noticed by someone or something else.