a critical omission

USAGE SUMMARY

"a critical omission" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to something that has been left out of a situation that is important and necessary in order to achieve the desired result. For example, "The omission of the correct password in the application form was a critical omission and prevented the form from being submitted properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

China has denounced North Korea's actions, but it has stopped short of saying it will join in any economic sanctions against the country -- a critical omission, because China is one of the North's most important trading partners.

The New York Times

What we don't learn is whether Wagoner was any good at the job he was hired to do — that is, run General Motors — which is a critical omission, because by that criterion Wagoner actually comes off very well.

The New Yorker

But the one voice we don't hear is a critical omission: Guggenheim's.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

One critical omission in the latest plan is junk food advertising.

The Guardian - Opinion

But perhaps the single most critical omission is any real sense of context.

The New York Times - Books

Investigators found that almost every aspect of the plan for the prescribed fire was poorly conceived and carried out, beginning with the critical omission of wind predictions for several days into the burn.

The New York Times

(It was this critical omission that helped the British royal family regain the freehold under King George III).

Wikipedia

The critical omission from his assertion was when he said that Galveston built the seawall (implying all by itself) when a good portion of the wall was actually built by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Huffington Post

That is a vital omission.

Plosone

The story, it turned out, also carried some critical omissions: It didn't disclose that its author, Jason Kessler, is supportive of white supremacist groups, and on the day of the march had himself made a speech to the protesters in which he praised fascist and racist organizations, thanked a prominent Holocaust denier, and declared the beginnings of a cultural 'civil war.'" [ProPublica].

Huffington Post

However, since etoposide is considered a critical component of therapy, its omission in a young patient with a potentially curable malignancy was thought inappropriate.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a critical omission" when you want to emphasize the serious consequences of leaving something out. It is appropriate for formal writing and serious discussions.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "a critical omission" too frequently in casual conversation can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a big mistake" or "an important thing to remember" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a critical omission" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a subject complement or object complement. It identifies and characterizes something as having been significantly left out. Ludwig provides examples of its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a critical omission" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to highlight a significant absence or oversight. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It carries a neutral to formal register and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not exceedingly common, its presence is consistent and appropriate across various source types. For alternative phrasing, consider using "significant oversight", "key exclusion", or "essential gap" depending on the desired nuance. Avoid overusing the phrase in casual settings to maintain a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant oversight

Emphasizes the act of overlooking something important.

a key exclusion

Highlights the act of leaving something out that should have been included.

an essential gap

Focuses on the incompleteness resulting from the missing element.

a major neglect

Emphasizes the failure to address something important.

a vital exclusion

Highlights the exclusion of something extremely necessary.

a crucial absence

Focuses on the lack of something necessary.

a remarkable lapse

Emphasizes a temporary failure in judgment or memory.

a glaring deficiency

Highlights an obvious lack or inadequacy.

a notable absence

Focuses on something important that is not present.

a consequential oversight

Emphasizes that overlooking something has significant consequences.

FAQs

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

You can use "a critical omission" to point out something important that has been left out. For example, "The report's "critical omission" was the lack of financial projections."

What are some alternatives to "a critical omission"?

Some alternatives include "significant oversight", "key exclusion", or "essential gap". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever acceptable to use "critical omission" without the article "a"?

While grammatically correct, using "critical omission" without the article "a" is less common and can sound slightly awkward. The phrase flows more naturally with the article.

What is the difference between "a critical omission" and "a minor oversight"?

"A critical omission" refers to something important that was left out and has significant consequences. "A minor oversight", on the other hand, refers to a small mistake or something unimportant that was overlooked.