a severe oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a severe oversight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant mistake or failure to notice something important. Example: "The project's delay was attributed to a severe oversight in the planning phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When I read about affirmative action and quotas to get more women on boards and in senior positions, I cannot help but think the lack of attention towards racial diversity is becoming a severe oversight.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That is a serious oversight.

The Telegraph

It was a serious oversight in which all parties shared.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is a dangerous oversight.

Forbes

This is a terrible oversight.

Forbes

This is a serious oversight.

HuffPost

There obviously is a severe lack of oversight in city contracts to construction companies.

The New York Times

All together, 30percentt of all stops are unconstitutional, underlining a severe lack of adequate officer oversight in the NYPD.

HuffPost

To prevent up-coding, the Bureau of National Health Insurance BNHII) exercised close oversight and imposed a severe financial penalty on transgressions.

Health Economics Review

This is not an oversight but intentional.

The New Yorker

Although it is not possible to preclude the possibility of offsite early fatalities in a severe accident, the probability is extremely small, perhaps below the level at which it should be a key consideration in regulatory oversight.

Progress in Nuclear Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a severe oversight", ensure the context clearly indicates what was missed and the potential consequences. This adds weight to the statement and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a severe oversight" for minor or inconsequential issues. This can diminish the impact of the phrase when describing genuinely critical errors. Reserve it for situations where the consequences are truly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a severe oversight" functions as a noun phrase, where "oversight" is the head noun and "severe" is an adjective modifying it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly identifies a significant mistake or failure. Examples provided by Ludwig also demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a severe oversight" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant mistake or failure. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and understandable in written English. While not as frequent as simpler alternatives, its impact can be substantial when used appropriately. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media, scientific and encyclopedia contexts, signaling potentially critical consequences. When writing, remember that using "a severe oversight" carries a tone of seriousness, so reserve it for cases where the implications are truly significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical blunder

Replaces "oversight" with a stronger term, emphasizing the magnitude of the mistake.

a grave error

Substitutes "severe" with "grave", highlighting the serious nature of the mistake.

a significant lapse

Emphasizes the failure to maintain a required standard of conduct or performance.

a serious mistake

Uses the more common word "mistake" in place of "oversight".

a major failing

Focuses on the aspect of failure, indicating a significant deficiency.

a terrible error

Emphasizes the negative consequences of the error.

a gross neglect

Highlights the lack of attention or care that led to the problem.

a critical deficiency

Focuses on the lack of an essential quality or element.

a fundamental flaw

Indicates a basic weakness or imperfection in something.

a glaring omission

Stresses the obviousness of what was missed or left out.

FAQs

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

You can use "a severe oversight" to describe a significant mistake or failure to notice something important. For example, "The project's failure was due to "a severe oversight" in planning".

What are some alternatives to "a severe oversight"?

Some alternatives include "a critical blunder", "a grave error", or "a significant lapse", depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is "a severe oversight" the same as "a serious oversight"?

While similar, "a severe oversight" implies a higher degree of gravity or consequence than "a serious oversight". "Severe" suggests a potentially more damaging or far-reaching impact.

When is it appropriate to use "a severe oversight"?

Use "a severe oversight" when you want to emphasize the significant negative impact of a mistake or omission. It's best suited for situations where the consequences are substantial and require serious attention.