a considerable oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a considerable oversight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant mistake or failure to notice something important. Example: "The report was submitted without the necessary data, which was a considerable oversight on our part."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

By blowing up the photo, the attackers revealed a "high-resolution photo that displayed control systems equipment models and status information in the background" — a considerable oversight and evidence of just how unevenly implemented basic operational security precautions can be in the energy sector.

TechCrunch

It would be a considerable oversight not to develop a social science of methadone's implementation in Kenya and the East Africa region.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Still, the Iraqis will receive considerable oversight in their work.

The New York Times

The plan gives states and communities considerable oversight.

The New York Times

In the hands of the government, it should be deployed cautiously and with considerable oversight.

The Economist

Instead, it was an elaborate arrangement to hold caucuses throughout Iraq and give the Iraqi Governing Council considerable oversight.

The New York Times

Parmalat's failure has galvanized efforts by the Italian government to overhaul the regulatory system, though critics say the effort could fall victim to infighting between the government and the Bank of Italy, the central bank, which now has considerable oversight authority.

The New York Times

As the business secretary praised the Guardian for performing a considerable public service in publishing leaked documents from the US National Security Agency, No 10 said David Cameron was satisfied with the current system of oversight.

The Guardian

Portions of the Central Library Plan have been moving forward without much public awareness or oversight; e.g. the Science, Industry and Business Library's building on Madison Ave .at 34th St., was sold at a considerable loss just a few weeks ago.

Huffington Post

Ashley Williams proved a considerable barrier.

Independent

A considerable gap.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a considerable oversight", ensure the context clearly establishes the importance or impact of the mistake being described. Quantify the impact if possible for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a considerable oversight" to describe minor or trivial errors. Ensure the oversight genuinely has significant consequences to warrant the adjective "considerable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable oversight" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies and characterizes an omission or mistake as significant. As Ludwig shows, it often introduces a critical element related to operational security or planning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a considerable oversight" denotes a significant error or omission, often carrying implications of negative consequences. Ludwig AI identifies its use in news, media and scientific contexts. While grammatically sound, it is relatively infrequent. For more direct and impactful communication, one should ensure that the phrase is applied accurately to prevent overstating insignificant issues. Close alternatives such as "a significant lapse" or "a major blunder" may be preferred for specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant lapse

Replaces "oversight" with "lapse" to emphasize a temporary failure in judgment or memory, maintaining the implication of importance conveyed by "considerable".

a major blunder

Substitutes "oversight" with "blunder" to highlight a more serious and impactful mistake, emphasizing the negative consequences.

a serious omission

Replaces "oversight" with "omission" to stress the act of leaving something out, while "serious" maintains the implication of consequence.

a grave error

Replaces "oversight" with "error" to focus on the incorrectness, and "grave" intensifies the severity of the mistake.

a notable failing

Replaces "oversight" with "failing" to focus on a deficiency or shortcoming, with "notable" highlighting its importance or visibility.

a critical neglect

Substitutes "oversight" with "neglect" to underscore a lack of attention or care, emphasizing the potential harm.

a substantial mistake

Focuses on the mistake itself, with "substantial" indicating a significant impact or size.

a regrettable oversight

Adds an element of remorse or disappointment to the oversight, suggesting it is something to be lamented.

an inexcusable oversight

Highlights the lack of justification or reason for the oversight, implying strong disapproval.

a consequential oversight

Emphasizes the significant results or effects of the oversight.

FAQs

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

You can use "a considerable oversight" to describe a significant error or omission. For example, "Failing to back up the data was "a considerable oversight" that led to data loss."

What phrases are similar to "a considerable oversight"?

Similar phrases include "a significant lapse", "a major blunder", or "a serious omission". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a considerable oversight"?

No, it's best used when the mistake or omission has noteworthy consequences. Using it for minor errors can sound exaggerated. Consider alternatives like "a slight error" in those cases.

What's the difference between "a considerable oversight" and "a minor oversight"?

"A considerable oversight" implies a mistake with significant ramifications, whereas "a minor oversight" suggests a trivial or unimportant mistake. The choice depends on the actual impact of the error.