a lack of oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lack of oversight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is insufficient supervision or monitoring of a process or activity. Example: "The project's failure was largely attributed to a lack of oversight from the management team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Many other cities hide bad practices behind a lack of oversight at local or federal level.

The Guardian

Generally, security experts attribute such episodes to a lack of oversight and an abundance of envy.

The New York Times

Chai is critical of a lack of oversight and calls for government action in regulating polluters.

The Guardian

The circumstances surrounding Rippon's Newsnight blog post was criticised for a lack of oversight.

The Guardian

He also blames Dewey's executive committee for a lack of oversight.

The New York Times

Investigators say the hourly-wage arrangement, coupled with a lack of oversight, facilitated the corruption scheme.

The New York Times

"There's a lack of oversight of many of those residential treatment centers".

The New York Times

Two main causes of Afghanistan's staggering levels of corruption are the sheer volume of aid and a lack of oversight.

The Guardian

Regulators attributed the troubles in the private banking group to a lack of oversight by managers in Japan.

The New York Times

As well as a lack of oversight regarding customer data, Spangenberg alleges numerous other ethical breaches at Uber.

The Guardian - Tech

The L.A. Times says real estate fraud is booming largely because of a lack of oversight of mortgage brokers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing organizational failures or process breakdowns, use "a lack of oversight" to clearly indicate a deficiency in monitoring or supervision. This highlights the importance of accountability and structured control mechanisms.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences using "a lack of oversight" in a way that obscures who is responsible for providing the oversight. Instead of saying "Mistakes happened due to a lack of oversight", specify "The project manager's lack of oversight led to mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lack of oversight" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a deficiency or absence of supervision, control, or monitoring within a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms the correct and usable nature of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lack of oversight" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that denotes insufficient supervision or monitoring. As evidenced by Ludwig's analysis and numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it's prevalent in news, formal business settings, and encyclopedic contexts. The phrase serves to pinpoint a cause of failure or deficiency. Alternatives include "insufficient monitoring" and "inadequate supervision". When using this phrase, ensure you clearly identify who is responsible for the oversight to avoid ambiguity. Ultimately, understanding the proper context and alternatives can significantly enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient monitoring

Focuses on the inadequacy of the monitoring process.

inadequate supervision

Highlights the deficiency in the act of supervising.

a regulatory void

Emphasizes the absence of regulations.

deficient control

Points out the imperfection in controlling a process.

limited accountability

Focuses on the reduced responsibility or answerability.

negligent management

Implicates a carelessness in the management aspect.

lax regulation

Highlights the leniency or looseness of regulatory practices.

poor superintendence

Draws attention to the low quality of the direction and control.

a supervisory failure

Identifies a breakdown in the supervisory process.

absence of accountability

Highlights the fact that there is no accountability in place.

FAQs

How can I use "a lack of oversight" in a sentence?

You can use "a lack of oversight" to describe situations where there is insufficient supervision or monitoring. For example, "The company's financial troubles stemmed from "a lack of oversight" by the accounting department".

What are some alternatives to saying "a lack of oversight"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "insufficient monitoring", "inadequate supervision", or "deficient control".

Is it more formal to say "a lack of oversight" or "poor management"?

"A lack of oversight" is generally more formal and specific, often implying a systemic issue. "Poor management" is a broader term that can encompass various inefficiencies, including but not limited to "a lack of oversight".

What are the potential consequences of "a lack of oversight"?

The consequences of "a lack of oversight" can range from minor errors and inefficiencies to major failures, fraud, and legal liabilities, depending on the context and severity.