a serious omission

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious omission" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or important detail that has been left out or not included in a discussion, document, or report. Example: "The report was well-researched, but it contained a serious omission regarding the financial implications of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

That's a serious omission.

The New York Times

The lack of Wi-Fi is a serious omission.

The Guardian - Tech

This is a serious omission and needs to be rectified.

The Guardian

This is a serious omission in a 130-minute movie.

The Guardian - Film

That's not a serious omission for the average point-and-shooter, however.

The New York Times

The joint committee on human rights described this silence as "a serious omission".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Don't assume that the existing owner has ticked all the boxes - the authorities will not excuse any serious omission on your part, on account of the conduct of the previous owner.

WikiHow

That's a very serious omission".

The Guardian

A more serious omission, in our view, was in the Southwestern spicy Caesar salad.

The New York Times

This is a pretty serious omission, both because of the scale of the slaughter and because of the way it troubles the distinction between savage and civilized.

The New Yorker

In a more serious omission, Ms. Conover fails really to confront the problem of Pound's madness and his anti-Semitism.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a serious omission", be specific about what is being omitted and why it matters. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious omission" for minor details or insignificant points. This can dilute the impact of the phrase and weaken your overall message. Ensure the omission genuinely affects the subject matter significantly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious omission" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object, emphasizing a significant detail that has been excluded. As indicated by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a serious omission" is a common and grammatically correct way to highlight a significant oversight, deficiency, or exclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used across different contexts, including News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "major oversight" or "significant gap" exist, it is important to remain specific about the omission to ensure clarity. Be mindful not to overstate the significance of the omission, reserving the phrase for genuinely important oversights that impact the subject matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major oversight

Replaces 'serious' with 'major', emphasizing the significance of the mistake.

a significant oversight

Substitutes 'serious' with 'significant', highlighting the importance of what was missed.

a critical oversight

Emphasizes the importance of what was missed by using the word 'critical'.

a glaring omission

Replaces 'serious' with 'glaring', suggesting the omission is easily noticeable.

a notable absence

Shifts the focus from the act of omitting to the state of being absent.

a key exclusion

Highlights the act of excluding something important.

a substantial gap

Focuses on the missing information as a 'gap' in knowledge or understanding.

a crucial deficiency

Indicates that something essential is lacking or missing.

a considerable oversight

Implies the oversight was of a notable degree.

a grave neglect

Highlights the neglect as something serious and concerning.

FAQs

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

You can use "a serious omission" to point out something important that has been left out or overlooked. For example: "The report was thorough, but the lack of data on long-term effects was "a serious omission"."

What are some alternatives to "a serious omission"?

Some alternatives include "major oversight", "significant gap", or "critical flaw", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "serious omission" or "major omission"?

Both "serious omission" and "major omission" are acceptable, but "serious omission" might convey a slightly stronger sense of importance or consequence. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

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

"A serious omission" refers to something significant that has been left out, potentially impacting the outcome or understanding. "A minor oversight", on the other hand, describes a small, less consequential error or exclusion.