a mere oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere oversight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small mistake or error that was unintentional and not significant. Example: "The missing report was simply a mere oversight on my part, and I will ensure it is submitted promptly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But it seems more than a mere oversight that we do not even consider doing any of these things.

The Guardian

This could be a mere oversight, but it is in keeping with the playwright's aim at an otherworldly reality.

The New York Times

And voters should not buy the line that Ritter's lack of compliance was a mere oversight.

Huffington Post

Could it possibly be that It was a mere oversight by Nader that the very group that rules the Palestinians Nader champions also rejects the very two state solution that Nader bloviates is the only viable solution to the conflict, and deploys rocket terror to kill innocent civilians inside Israel (of course, I know that Israeli retaliation has resulted in civilian casualties).

Huffington Post

This could be deemed a mere oversight, except that I wrote the first eponymous trade book on credit derivatives in 1998 warning about documentation risk and information asymmetry that created economic distortions that could swamp the credit risk of the underlying products.

Huffington Post

Everyone makes mistakes and your denial can be a result of a mere oversight on the side of the insurer.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A parent’s actual participation in and control over a subsidiary’s functions and decision-making creates ‘operator’ liability under CERCLA; a parent’s mere oversight of a subsidiary’s business in a manner appropriate and consistent with the investment relationship between a parent and its wholly owned subsidiary does not.” Ibid.

Cornell University

But what happened to a dish called Salmon Macho was no mere oversight.

The New York Times - Food

Especially for the cases (obtained in the second round) where the evidence for potential sample mix-up is dominated by the missed mutations, we need a convincing exchange pattern that characterizes this case as a recombination instance and distinguishes it from mere oversight of mutations due to poor base calling or inadvertent documentation.

Plosone

Ginsburg's error was a mere research oversight; more troubling was Justice Stephen Breyer's earlier question, admired by Gore advocates: "Is there any respect in which this really makes a difference?" Is there ever.

The New York Times

Mere oversight, however, will not advance an organization to the heights of its success in serving the community.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere oversight" to downplay the significance of a mistake, but always follow up with steps taken to correct it. This shows responsibility and prevents the phrase from sounding dismissive.

Common error

Avoid using "a mere oversight" when the mistake has significant consequences or suggests a pattern of negligence. This can undermine your credibility and appear insensitive to the impact of the error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere oversight" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as a subject complement or object, describing or categorizing a mistake or error as insignificant or unintentional. Ludwig confirms its use in similar contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mere oversight" is a noun phrase used to describe a small, unintentional mistake. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for minimizing the significance of an error. While its register is generally neutral, it is most commonly found in news and media, as well as wiki and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context reflects that the error was indeed unintentional and not due to negligence. Alternatives such as "a simple mistake" or "a minor error" can be used to convey similar meaning. This expression is most frequently used to downplay the effect of a mistake and should be used when the mistake doesn't involve huge consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a simple mistake

Focuses on the simplicity and lack of intent behind the error.

a minor error

Highlights the insignificance of the mistake.

a slight lapse

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the error in judgment or attention.

a trivial slip

Indicates the error is unimportant and easily overlooked.

an insignificant omission

Points out that something was unintentionally left out and that it doesn't have major consequences.

a small inadvertence

Stresses the unintentional nature and small scale of the mistake.

a careless slip-up

Suggests negligence, but the error remains small.

a passing oversight

Highlights the temporary nature and potential for the oversight to be quickly corrected.

a forgivable neglect

Implies the oversight is understandable and excusable under the circumstances.

a pardonable error

Highlights that the error is minor and acceptable in certain situations.

FAQs

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

You can use "a mere oversight" to describe a small, unintentional mistake. For example, "The error in the report was "a mere oversight" and has been corrected."

What phrases are similar to "a mere oversight"?

Similar phrases include "a simple mistake", "a minor error", or "a slight lapse". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a mere oversight" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the formality of your context. In highly formal settings, more precise language might be preferred. However, "a mere oversight" is suitable for most professional communications.

What's the difference between "a mere oversight" and "negligence"?

"A mere oversight" implies an unintentional mistake, while "negligence" suggests a failure to exercise reasonable care, potentially leading to harm. Negligence carries a stronger connotation of fault and responsibility.