a conspicuous omission

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a conspicuous omission" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight something that is noticeably missing or absent from a discussion, list, or document. Example: "The report had a conspicuous omission regarding the financial projections for the next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But they did not actually show him doing anything, a conspicuous omission.

The New York Times

Given China's ambitions, abstaining from the TPP would not only be a conspicuous omission, it could also sow the seeds for slower investment and services trade activity in the future, given stronger policy incentives elsewhere.

BBC

It was a conspicuous omission for the NDP's Thomas Mulcair, who just days earlier had accused Harper of "breaking the rules" in failing to look into Riyadh's human rights record.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

However, a somewhat conspicuous omission from the profile of Sun Yafang, the chairman, is that according to a report in the Financial Times—she used to work for the Ministry of State Security.

The Economist

It just so happened this conspicuous omission came days after a small publisher, NewSouth Books, announced a new edition of Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" that will replace its uses of the word "nigger" with "slave".

The New York Times

Though some applauded Mr. Obama's criticism of America's allies in Yemen and Bahrain for their crackdowns on peaceful protesters, many noted the conspicuous omission of Saudi Arabia, another ally of the United States that is a conservative force throughout the region.

The New York Times

But for anyone broadly interested in the possibility of a global disruption caused by government-directed hackers, the report suffers from one conspicuous omission: It does not address America's own role in the expanding world of cyberwarfare nor that of other countries with active programs, like Russia, Britain and Israel.

The New York Times

The conspicuous omission of Syria from the document, called the Tehran Declaration, followed a dramatic day of maneuvering by Iran's delegation to secure some kind of support for Syria's government, diplomats said, as the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his aides were criticizing foreign backing of the Syrian insurgency.

The New York Times

Now Kramer simply ignores that critique, making his book's conspicuous omission all the more telling.

The New York Times

There was one conspicuous omission from the Patriotic Celebration: any mention of President Bush or the Iraq war.

The New York Times - Magazine

The most conspicuous omission was Madikizela-Mandela, his wife of 38 years during the struggle against racial apartheid.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a conspicuous omission" to draw attention to something notably missing, especially when its absence impacts the comprehensiveness or accuracy of the information presented. It's stronger than simply saying something is 'missing'.

Common error

Avoid using "a conspicuous omission" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound pretentious or overly critical in relaxed settings. Consider simpler alternatives like 'obviously missing' or 'noticeably left out'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a conspicuous omission" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it points out something noticeably absent and highlights its significance in a discussion or text.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a conspicuous omission" is a noun phrase used to emphasize a significant and noticeable absence. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is grammatically correct and serves to critique or highlight a deficiency, particularly in formal contexts like news reports and analyses. While not frequently used, the phrase is a powerful tool for drawing attention to critical oversights, especially when its absence impacts the comprehensiveness or accuracy of the information presented. Consider alternatives like ""a glaring omission"" or ""a notable absence"" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a noticeable absence

Replaces 'omission' with 'absence', focusing on the state of being absent rather than the act of omitting. It has a slightly less formal tone.

a glaring oversight

Substitutes both 'conspicuous' and 'omission' to emphasize the mistake of overlooking something important, implying a stronger sense of error.

a striking absence

Uses 'striking' to describe the absence, highlighting how remarkable it is that something is missing. This gives a stronger emphasis compared to "conspicuous".

a remarkable oversight

Replaces both words, similar to 'glaring oversight' but perhaps slightly less accusatory, focusing on the surprising nature of the mistake.

a notable absence

Similar to "a noticeable absence", but 'notable' suggests that the absence is important or worthy of attention.

a significant void

Shifts the focus to the 'void' created by the omission, implying a more substantial impact or consequence.

a patent neglect

Implies active negligence rather than simply an oversight or omission, suggesting a deliberate failure to include something.

a manifest exclusion

Focuses on the act of exclusion, with 'manifest' emphasizing that it's clear and obvious. This phrase is more formal.

an evident lacuna

Uses 'lacuna', a more technical term for a gap or missing part, making this suitable for formal or academic contexts.

a palpable gap

Highlights the feeling that something is missing. 'Palpable' describes that the gap is so evident it can almost be sensed.

FAQs

How can I use "a conspicuous omission" in a sentence?

You can use "a conspicuous omission" to point out something that is noticeably missing or absent. For example, "The report's a conspicuous omission of data regarding long-term sustainability raised concerns."

What are some alternatives to "a conspicuous omission"?

Alternatives include "a glaring omission", "a notable absence", or "a striking absence", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "conspicuous absence" the same as "a conspicuous omission"?

"Conspicuous absence" emphasizes the state of being absent, while "a conspicuous omission" highlights the act of leaving something out. While similar, the latter directly implies an action or decision that led to the absence.

When is it appropriate to use "a conspicuous omission" in writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing, reports, or critical analyses where you need to emphasize that something important has been left out, and this absence is readily apparent. Its use signals that the omission is not accidental or minor.