committed an oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "committed an oversight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a mistake or error that occurred due to a lack of attention or consideration. Example: "The team committed an oversight in the report, which led to incorrect data being presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Zwilling said the archdiocese had not committed an oversight by neglecting to inform the Vatican.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In December, the racing association said it had committed an "unintentional oversight".

The New York Times

Mr. Collins explained his actions in a letter to a Breakingviews editor, posted on the Web site of the British newspaper The Guardian, insisting that he had committed an honest oversight.

The New York Times

Dr. Cynthia Dunn, director of the Clinical Research Institute at the University of Rochester, who oversees review boards there, said the Hopkins board had committed a "serious oversight" in its quick approval of the use of hexamethonium, which is unapproved by the Food and Drug Administration and has not been used clinically since 1972.

The New York Times

You committed a sin".

The New York Times - Magazine

Has either committed a crime?

The Economist

I committed a scientific error.

Science Magazine

D.R.: I would be committed [to oversight].

Science Magazine

At first I was annoyed with the careless postman, who had committed the oversight.

Huffington Post

"He certainly seems to be committed to robust oversight of derivatives and limiting excessive speculation and leverage".

The New York Times

Rubenstein said the department was "steadfastly committed to civilian oversight".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "committed an oversight", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature and consequences of the error. This phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts where accountability is important.

Common error

Avoid using "committed an oversight" to describe deliberate actions or choices. This phrase implies a lack of awareness or attention, so it's not appropriate for cases where the action was intentional, even if misguided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "committed an oversight" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a situation where someone has made a mistake or error due to negligence or a lack of attention. Ludwig indicates its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "committed an oversight" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing a mistake or error resulting from a lack of attention or consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, with a neutral to professional register. While not extremely common, it is a suitable alternative to phrases like "made an error" or "overlooked something", emphasizing the unintentional nature of the error. Remember to use it accurately and avoid misattributing intentional actions as oversights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made an error

Replaces "committed an oversight" with a more general term for mistake, removing the nuance of negligence.

made a mistake

Similar to "made an error", offering a straightforward alternative to the original phrase.

overlooked something

Shifts the focus to the act of missing something, rather than the act of committing an error.

failed to notice

Highlights the lack of awareness or attention, emphasizing the missed detail.

dropped the ball

Uses an idiom to convey negligence or failure in one's responsibilities.

slipped up

Indicates a minor mistake or error, often implying carelessness.

was negligent

Implicates carelessness or a lack of due diligence in performing a task.

was remiss

Describes a failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility, often through neglect.

neglected to

Focuses on the act of failing to do something important or necessary.

took their eye off the ball

Expresses in a figurative way the act of losing focus and subsequently making an error.

FAQs

How to use "committed an oversight" in a sentence?

You can use "committed an oversight" to describe a situation where someone made an error due to a lack of attention or care. For example, "The team "committed an oversight" in the report, which led to incorrect data being presented."

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

You can use alternatives like "made an error", "made a mistake", or "overlooked something" depending on the context.

Is "committed an oversight" formal or informal?

"Committed an oversight" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase. It's suitable for professional, news-related, or academic contexts. More informal situations might call for simpler alternatives such as "messed up".

What's the difference between "committed an oversight" and "committed a crime"?

"Committed an oversight" implies a mistake or unintentional error, while "committed a crime" refers to an intentional or unintentional violation of the law. The key difference lies in the intent and nature of the act.