Unintentional oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Unintentional oversight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mistake or error that was not done on purpose, often in a professional or formal context. Example: "The report contained an unintentional oversight that affected the final results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"Accordingly, we considered his act, while careless, an unintentional oversight".

The New York Times

Was this an unintentional oversight made somehow by skillful lawyers?

Columbia University

In December, the racing association said it had committed an "unintentional oversight".

The New York Times

I can only guess that this omission was one of three cases: an unintentional oversight, a lack of awareness that spouses should be included as wedding guests, or caused by some other reason of which you are obviously unaware.

The New York Times

(I've noticed that some other polling aggregation Web sites have not listed the Foster McCollum White Baydoun survey, although I'm not sure if that's an intentional or unintentional oversight).

The New York Times

Several child welfare experts said caseworkers, newly nervous that an unintentional oversight could lead to a homicide charge, might grow more inclined to put children in foster care, even if it was not warranted.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In both the Geithner and Daschle cases, the failure to pay taxes is attributed to unintentional oversights.

The New York Times

Even when the oversight seems unintentional, these students are guilty of plagiarism, and must face penalties.

Yale University

Her oversight is unintentional, and she will feel terrible when she remembers she forgot to mention it.

Huffington Post

This is not an oversight, a mistake or unintentional criminal activity on the part of drug companies, but a deliberate and focused strategy that feeds profits.

Huffington Post

This error was completely unintentional and the result of an unfortunate oversight.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow up mentioning an "unintentional oversight" with steps taken to rectify the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "Unintentional oversight" when there's a reasonable suspicion that the omission or error was deliberate. It's important to have a good faith belief in its unintentional nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Unintentional oversight" functions primarily as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes an error or omission that was not done on purpose. It often serves to mitigate blame or explain a mistake in a formal context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

As confirmed by Ludwig AI, "Unintentional oversight" is a common noun phrase used to describe an error or omission that was not deliberate. Predominantly found in news and academic contexts, it serves to explain mistakes while mitigating blame. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports the claim of unintentionality and, ideally, include steps taken for rectification. Alternatives like ""inadvertent error"" or ""accidental omission"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Inadvertent error

Focuses on the accidental nature of the mistake.

Accidental omission

Highlights the unintentional exclusion of something.

Unintended mistake

Emphasizes that the mistake was not planned.

Inadvertent slip

Suggests a minor, unintentional error.

Unforeseen lapse

Highlights the unexpected nature of the error.

Unwitting blunder

Implies a mistake made without awareness.

Involuntary neglect

Suggests a lack of attention that was not deliberate.

Fortuitous error

Emphasizes the accidental nature of error.

Involuntary slip-up

Highlights an unintended small mistake.

Careless mistake

Focuses on lack of attention.

FAQs

How can I use "Unintentional oversight" in a sentence?

You can use "Unintentional oversight" to describe a mistake or omission that was not done on purpose. For example, "The error in the report was an "unintentional oversight" and has been corrected."

What are some alternatives to saying "Unintentional oversight"?

Alternatives include "inadvertent error", "accidental omission", or "unintended mistake", depending on the specific context.

Is "Unintentional oversight" a formal or informal phrase?

"Unintentional oversight" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for professional or academic contexts. More informal situations might call for simpler language.

What's the difference between "Unintentional oversight" and a deliberate mistake?

An "unintentional oversight" is an error or omission that occurred without planning or intention. A deliberate mistake, on the other hand, is a conscious and intentional action.