an oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an oversight" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a mistake, especially when referring to a mistake made by someone in authority. For example, "The new law was passed due to an oversight in the budget committee's review process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"An oversight," an investigator testified during one hearing.

The New York Times

What an oversight!

The New York Times

This is not an oversight.

The New Yorker

Maybe it was an oversight.

The New Yorker

It was an oversight.

The New York Times

For Weiner, rudeness isn't an oversight.

The New York Times

This is not an oversight but intentional.

The New Yorker

"It was really an oversight," he said.

The New York Times

To her, my scruple was an oversight.

The New Yorker

Mr. Jereis said it was an oversight.

The New York Times

I suspect it was not an oversight.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an oversight", consider the context to determine if emphasizing the unintentional nature of the mistake is important. Alternatives like "error" or "mistake" may be more appropriate if intent is not a factor.

Common error

Avoid using "an oversight" to describe a major error with significant consequences. The phrase implies a minor, unintentional mistake. For more serious errors, use terms like "negligence" or "malfeasance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an oversight" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it denotes a mistake or unintentional omission. It suggests a failure to notice or include something important.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an oversight" is a common noun phrase used to describe a mistake or unintentional omission. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. It's particularly prevalent in news and media contexts, where it serves to explain or downplay errors. While relatively neutral in tone, it's important to consider the gravity of the error when choosing this phrase, as it implies a minor, unintentional mistake. Alternative phrases like "inadvertent error" or "unintentional omission" can offer greater precision depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inadvertent error

Emphasizes the unintentional nature of the mistake.

an unintentional mistake

Highlights the lack of intent behind the error.

a simple mistake

Focuses on the uncomplicated nature of the error.

a lapse in judgment

Indicates a temporary failure to make a sound decision.

an unintentional omission

Specifically refers to something left out unintentionally.

an unintentional slip-up

Suggests a minor and accidental mistake.

a failure to notice

Emphasizes the act of not recognizing something important.

a careless mistake

Highlights the lack of attention that led to the error.

a regrettable error

Indicates that the mistake is a source of disappointment.

an honest mistake

Implies the error was made without deceitful intent.

FAQs

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

You can use "an oversight" to describe a mistake or something that was unintentionally forgotten. For example, "The missing data was due to "an oversight" during the data entry process."

What's a more formal alternative to "an oversight"?

In more formal contexts, you could use terms like "error", "omission", or "inadvertence". For example, instead of saying "It was just "an oversight"", you could say "It was a regrettable error".

Is "oversight" always negative?

Yes, "oversight" typically refers to a negative situation, specifically a mistake or something that was not done or noticed when it should have been. It's not usually used to describe a positive or neutral situation.

Which is correct, "an oversight" or "a oversight"?

"An oversight" is correct. The word "oversight" begins with a vowel sound, so the article "an" is used instead of "a".