an excusable oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an excusable oversight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mistake or error that is understandable and not considered serious or blameworthy. Example: "I apologize for the delay in my response; it was simply an excusable oversight on my part."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A less excusable oversight lies in their failure to get Rodham Clinton on the record on these issues.

Huffington Post

The mistake is an excusable one.

The New York Times

Defense attorneys called the killing an "excusable homicide".

The Guardian

I felt it was an excusable use of Google.

The Guardian

In a state where party identification is collapsing, that may seem an excusable fault.

The Economist

Without a computer, I would be forced to read a book (or The Times), but social networking almost always presents an excusable distraction.

The New York Times - Magazine

The elevation of the publisher-bookseller-editor Newbery (who also sold patent medicines) to the position of patron saint is an excusable piece of sentiment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In July 2013 G4S applied for an "excusable performance failure" due to the rapid influx of asylum seekers, which it said contributed to "disruption to services".

The Guardian

Baring another human on a public stage for ridicule and critique is an excusable, even understandable, action.

Huffington Post

An excusable miscalculation or bozocraft?

The New York Times

This is an ineffective oversight arrangement.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an excusable oversight", ensure the context clearly indicates why the mistake is understandable and not deserving of severe criticism. This helps maintain a tone of understanding and fairness.

Common error

Avoid using "an excusable oversight" to downplay serious negligence or repeated errors. It's crucial to reserve this phrase for genuinely minor and understandable mistakes, or you risk losing credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an excusable oversight" functions as a noun phrase that describes a mistake or error. The adjective "excusable" modifies the noun "oversight", indicating that the mistake is understandable and can be forgiven. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an excusable oversight" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a minor and understandable mistake. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English. While its frequency is limited, it appears primarily in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies its application to avoid downplaying more serious errors. Alternatives such as "a forgivable error" or "an understandable mistake" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. As there were no exact examples found by Ludwig, the usage patterns are based on similar phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a forgivable error

This alternative replaces "excusable" with "forgivable" and "oversight" with "error", maintaining the meaning of a minor, pardonable mistake.

an understandable mistake

This option substitutes "excusable" with "understandable" and "oversight" with "mistake", emphasizing the comprehensibility of the error.

a pardonable lapse

This phrase uses "pardonable" to convey the idea of forgiveness and "lapse" to suggest a temporary failure, akin to an oversight.

a minor error

This alternative simplifies the phrase by focusing on the small scale of the mistake, implying it is easily excusable.

a trivial slip-up

This option uses "trivial" to highlight the insignificance of the error and "slip-up" as a casual synonym for oversight.

a venial fault

This phrase employs "venial", suggesting a minor, forgivable sin or fault, similar to an excusable oversight.

a slight indiscretion

This alternative presents the oversight as a small impropriety or lack of judgment that can be excused.

a negligible error

Here, "negligible" indicates the error is so small it can be disregarded or easily excused.

a petty mistake

This phrase replaces "excusable oversight" with a direct emphasis on the small and insignificant nature of the mistake.

a white lie

This alternative shifts the context slightly to a small, harmless lie, which, like an excusable oversight, is considered forgivable in many situations.

FAQs

How can I use "an excusable oversight" in a sentence?

You can use "an excusable oversight" to describe a minor mistake that is understandable given the circumstances. For example, "The delay in the report was due to "an excusable oversight" on my part".

What's the difference between "an excusable oversight" and "negligence"?

"An excusable oversight" refers to a minor, understandable mistake, while "negligence" implies a failure to take reasonable care, leading to harm or damage. The former is often unintentional and easily forgiven, whereas the latter suggests a more serious breach of duty.

What can I say instead of "an excusable oversight"?

You can use alternatives like "a forgivable error", "an understandable mistake", or "a minor error" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "an excusable oversight" in a formal setting?

Yes, it can be appropriate, but consider the context. In formal settings, it's important to acknowledge the mistake clearly and take responsibility, while also explaining why it was excusable. Using a more formal synonym like "a pardonable lapse" might also be suitable.