a simple oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

'a simple oversight' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an error or mistake that was made due to carelessness or lack of attention. For example, "The accountant quickly realized that the missing receipt was just a simple oversight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Apparently, the matter was a simple oversight.

The New York Times

"So everything was a simple oversight, a software error!" Mr. Schaar wrote.

The New York Times - Tech

But an autopsy was marred by a simple oversight that now looms large.

The New York Times

Worse, I'd elevated the seriousness of a simple oversight because now, there was a clipboard.

The Washington Post

Prosecutors said, though, that the double-jeopardy rule did not apply when a simple oversight was the issue at hand.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a simple oversight on TRD's part and there was no intent to deceive, or to gain any type of competitive advantage.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

All film directors have the artistic freedom to decide how they want to portray historical events, but Heschel's absence from that scene in the movie could not be an simple oversight.

Huffington Post

With just a little preparation, some simple oversight and a lot of common sense, your pet will be safe on this holiday and all others.

Huffington Post

This started sometime earlier today and is either a genuinely brilliant move or simple oversight by Microsoft.

TechCrunch

But when Mayor Bloomberg vetoes and appeals something that gives simple oversight to an absurdly disproportionate practice, he further violates the rights of young people of color whose first lesson in Latin is habeas corpus.

Huffington Post

However, at least one water rights attorney said that simple oversight might be a factor.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a simple oversight" to downplay mistakes and maintain a positive or neutral tone.

Common error

Avoid using "a simple oversight" when the error had significant consequences. This can diminish accountability and create a perception of downplaying serious issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a simple oversight" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object to describe or identify a mistake or error that is considered minor and unintentional. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a simple oversight" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to describe a minor, unintentional mistake. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It's particularly common in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, functioning primarily to downplay the significance of errors and minimize blame. While it maintains a generally neutral register, it's crucial to avoid using it when the error had significant impacts, as this can be perceived as insensitive or dismissive. Alternatives such as "a minor error" or "a slight mistake" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A minor error

Focuses on the insignificance of the mistake.

A slight mistake

Emphasizes the small impact of the error.

A trivial error

Highlights the unimportance of the error.

A small lapse

Refers to a temporary failure in attention or judgment.

A mere slip-up

Suggests the incident was accidental and easily forgiven.

An unintentional mistake

Highlights the lack of intention behind the error.

A forgivable error

Indicates the error is excusable and not serious.

A negligible mistake

Stresses the insignificance of the mistake's consequences.

An inconsequential error

Points out the lack of important results because of the error.

An inadvertent error

Highlights error happening because of negligence.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a simple oversight"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor error", "a slight mistake", or "a trivial error" depending on the context.

How do I use "a simple oversight" in a sentence?

You can use "a simple oversight" to describe a minor error that occurred due to carelessness or inattention. For example: "The missing document was just "a simple oversight", and it was quickly found."

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a simple oversight"?

It's appropriate to use "a simple oversight" when referring to a mistake that is minor, unintentional, and easily rectified. Avoid using it if the error had serious consequences or was the result of negligence.

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

"A simple oversight" implies an unintentional error with minimal impact, while "negligence" suggests a failure to exercise reasonable care, potentially leading to significant consequences.