a complete oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a complete oversight" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to when referring to something important being overlooked or neglected. For example, "It was a complete oversight that he forgot to include the budget in his presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"For Americans not to have spent time in a Russian orchestra is a complete oversight," Ms. Holbrooke said.

The New York Times - Arts

Two years later, as the brothers were working on a follow-up, "Kingpin," it struck them that no one had made a modern Stooges movie — "a complete oversight," according to Peter.

The New Yorker

A complete oversight. .  .

TechCrunch

It was a complete oversight on my part, but this is how that changes".

Vice

"It's a complete oversight of the root causes of why she was jailed in the first place," Cooper told The Texas Tribune, calling the bill a "missed opportunity".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

She now will have complete oversight of casting, repertory, the young artists program and a new commissioning project.

The New York Times

At the end of the day, the only person with complete oversight of the system is government".

The Guardian

"These organizations must have mechanisms in place to ensure complete oversight and prevent such abuses from occurring," Walden said.

Huffington Post

Lately, the idea began to form that a link might be missing in the comprehensive vision of the process, due to almost complete oversight of its mechanical aspects.

Plosone

To ignore that is a gross oversight.

Independent

This was a clearly a gross oversight on our part.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a complete oversight", ensure that the context clearly indicates what was overlooked and why it matters. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a complete oversight" too frequently in your writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "significant omission" or "critical failing" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complete oversight" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies or describes something that has been overlooked or neglected. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a complete oversight" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that functions as a noun phrase to denote something important that has been missed or neglected. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and applicable in diverse scenarios. While relatively rare, its usage spans from news and media to scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral register. To enhance writing, ensure clarity regarding what was overlooked, and diversify vocabulary by using synonyms to prevent repetition. The most authoritative sources using the phrase include The New York Times, Huffington Post, and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major omission

Focuses on the act of leaving something out; slightly more formal.

a total lapse

Emphasizes a temporary failure in attention or memory; less formal.

a glaring error

Highlights the obviousness of the mistake; adds a critical tone.

a critical failing

Emphasizes the importance of what was missed and the negative consequences.

a significant neglect

Highlights the lack of attention given to something important.

an utter neglect

Expresses a strong degree of carelessness or inattention.

a huge blunder

Emphasizes the mistake was clumsy or foolish.

a serious dereliction

Implies a failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility.

a vast misjudgment

Focuses on an error in assessing a situation or making a decision.

a regrettable slip

Indicates a mistake that one wishes hadn't happened; more apologetic in tone.

FAQs

How to use "a complete oversight" in a sentence?

You can use "a complete oversight" to describe something important that was missed or neglected. For example, "It was "a complete oversight" that the project deadline was not communicated to the team.".

What can I say instead of "a complete oversight"?

You can use alternatives like "a major omission", "a glaring error", or "a significant neglect" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a complete oversight" or "an complete oversight"?

"A complete oversight" is correct because "complete" starts with a consonant sound. "An" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "a complete oversight" and "a simple oversight"?

"A complete oversight" implies a significant and thorough failure to notice something, whereas "a simple oversight" suggests a minor and easily forgivable mistake.