a modest oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest oversight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or minor mistake that is not considered serious. Example: "The report had a modest oversight in the data analysis section, but it did not affect the overall conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The lack of imposing talent, or even ordinary skill, was, in my father, not a defect, not a true failing, just a modest oversight in God's complicated manufactory, which did not keep me from loving him.

The New Yorker

Despite the incident with the tree, his relationship with his father was happy and loving: The lack of imposing talent, or even ordinary skill, was, in my father, not a defect, not a true failing, just a modest oversight in God's complicated manufactory, which did not keep me from loving him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Libor was calculated daily based on submissions made by relatively low-level bank employees with modest oversight by the banks, the private association collecting the data and the regulators.

The New York Times

The tests represent only a modest step toward centralized oversight of nuclear energy facilities in Europe, where member states zealously guard control over their energy industries.

The New York Times

And, despite outrage over lavish bonuses and much talk about curtailing excessive risk-taking on Wall Street, President Obama has made only a modest proposal for greater shareholder oversight of executive compensation, leaving it to the French to press for stronger curbs on excessive pay.

The New Yorker

But the sponsors of the legislation say it was a modest but necessary exercise of oversight over a new department that they say has overlooked basic needs for children and parents seeking shelter, like a bed or a crib, medical care, and help in securing the government documents that the city now requires before allowing a family to enter the shelter system.

The New York Times

The politicians could then turn to tax reform, immigration, gun violence, maybe a modest climate-change measure, and substantive oversight.

The New York Times

Fixing that oversight sounds like a modest first step before we go off harvesting our lunar counterpart.

The Washington Post

The most hopeful view of some party thinkers is that long-discussed proposals to allow a modest increase in press freedom, improve public oversight of officials and promote more democracy inside the ruling party will gain new strength.

The New York Times

Schiff argued that it would require "minimal resources" for U.S. agencies to produce an annual report of drone-related casualties and that doing so would provide a "modest but important measure of transparency and oversight".

Huffington Post

Preoccupied with ensuring that bankruptcies and accounting problems do not cause disruptions for telephone and Internet users, he proposed a modest set of recommendations that mixed some new regulatory oversight with some loosening of the existing rules.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modest oversight", ensure the context clearly indicates that the error or omission had minimal impact or consequences. This phrasing is effective in downplaying the significance of a mistake without dismissing it entirely.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest oversight" to describe errors that have significant consequences. This can create a perception of insensitivity or downplaying the severity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest oversight" functions as a noun phrase, where "modest" is an adjective modifying the noun "oversight". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It typically serves to describe a minor mistake or error.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest oversight" is a noun phrase used to describe a minor or insignificant error. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It serves to downplay the severity of a mistake, indicating that it is not serious or impactful. This phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts and maintains a neutral tone. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context supports the claim that the error is indeed minor to avoid misrepresentation. Related alternatives include "a minor lapse" and "a slight mistake".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor lapse

Replaces "oversight" with "lapse" to suggest a temporary failure in judgment or memory, maintaining a similar level of formality.

a slight mistake

Uses more common words, "slight" and "mistake", to convey a similar meaning with slightly less formality.

a small error

Emphasizes the diminutive nature of the mistake, using very straightforward language.

a trivial omission

Replaces "oversight" with "omission" and uses "trivial" to highlight the insignificance of what was left out.

an inconsequential slip-up

Uses a more informal term "slip-up" to describe the error as unimportant or easily forgiven.

a negligible error

Focuses on how the impact of the error is so small that it is practically non-existent.

a forgivable mistake

Highlights that the mistake is easily excused.

a venial fault

Uses the term "venial" which describes a sin/mistake/fault that is slight and pardonable.

a not-so-serious blunder

Uses the more colloquial term "blunder" but is qualified as "not-so-serious" to convey the error is unimportant.

a petty oversight

Highlights the mistake as being insignificant.

FAQs

What does "a modest oversight" mean?

The phrase "a modest oversight" refers to a small or insignificant error or omission. It implies that the mistake is not serious and does not have major consequences.

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

You can use "a modest oversight" to describe a minor mistake that does not significantly affect the outcome. For example: "The report contained "a modest oversight" in the calculations, but the overall conclusion remained valid."

What are some alternatives to "a modest oversight"?

Alternatives to "a modest oversight" include "a minor lapse", "a slight mistake", or "a small error". The best alternative depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a modest oversight" formal or informal language?

"A modest oversight" is considered neutral to slightly formal. It's appropriate for professional or academic writing, but it may also be used in everyday conversation. More informal alternatives would include "an inconsequential slip-up".