it was overlooked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was overlooked" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to describe something that was missed or not noticed. Example: Despite thorough proofreading, a few spelling errors were overlooked in the final draft of the report.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

But even in its heyday, it was overlooked by those who marveled at the hulking machinery at Niagara Falls and the Hoover Dam.

The New York Times

(Another footnote to the Rankin bibliography is "The Flood," the 1986 rarity that was his first published novel, with only a few hundred copies originally printed. Like "Watchman" it was overlooked in its day. "'Watchman' published; world unmoved," Mr. Rankin wrote in his diary).

The New York Times - Books

"127 Hours" made the big list and, as expected, earned its multitasking star, James Franco, a best-actor slot, but it was overlooked for best director, another best-picture bellwether.

The New York Times

It was overlooked as an emotional outburst.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It was overlooked because no one expected to find ceramics in the Paleolithic," Dr. Farbstein said.

The New York Times - Science

"It was overlooked," said Mario Theissen, the director of the BMW Sauber team.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Why is it so important, and why has it been overlooked?

Stanford University

It is overlooked (northeast) by Mount Logan, which is depicted on the official state seal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is little research on this topic, which suggests that it is overlooked or discounted.

The New York Times

It is overlooked by skyscrapers with blasted-out windows and surrounded by deserted streets.

Independent

It is overlooked from the southwest by the Montagne de Reims.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was overlooked", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, 'The crucial detail was overlooked during the initial assessment.'

Common error

Avoid using "it was overlooked" without a clear antecedent for "it". Ensure your sentence structure makes it immediately obvious what the pronoun refers to, or rewrite the sentence to be more explicit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was overlooked" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a particular item or detail was not noticed or given due attention. As noted by Ludwig AI, its grammatical structure is correct and suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was overlooked" is a commonly used and grammatically correct passive construction that indicates something was missed or not given due attention. Ludwig AI confirms its suitability for written English. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, the phrase conveys a sense of omission and is appropriate for both formal and informal communication. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what 'it' refers to. Consider using synonyms like "it was missed" or "it went unnoticed" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was unnoticed

Highlights the lack of perception; something simply didn't come to anyone's attention.

it was missed

Emphasizes the failure to notice or include something, suggesting a passive lack of attention.

it escaped attention

A more formal way of saying it wasn't noticed, suggesting a subtle or easily missed detail.

it was disregarded

Suggests a conscious decision to ignore or dismiss something, implying a more active rejection.

it was ignored

Similar to 'disregarded' but may imply a lack of awareness rather than a deliberate choice.

it was not considered

Indicates a failure to think about or take something into account.

it was not taken into account

A more emphatic version of 'not considered', stressing the importance of what was missed.

it was left out

Focuses on the exclusion of something, whether intentional or accidental.

it was skipped over

Suggests a quick and perhaps careless passing by something, leading to it being missed.

it was glossed over

Implies a deliberate minimizing or superficial treatment of something important.

FAQs

What does "it was overlooked" mean?

The phrase "it was overlooked" means that something was missed, not noticed, or not given sufficient attention. It suggests a failure to observe or consider something important.

What can I say instead of "it was overlooked"?

You can use alternatives like "it was missed", "it was ignored", or "it went unnoticed" depending on the context.

How do I use "it was overlooked" in a sentence?

Use "it was overlooked" when you want to convey that something important was not noticed or considered. For example, "The safety regulation was overlooked during the design phase."

Is "it was overlooked" formal or informal?

"It was overlooked" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.