major oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major oversight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant mistake or failure to notice something important in a particular context. Example: "The project's delay was due to a major oversight in the planning phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Major oversight, Feldman.

The New Yorker

According to club promoter Patrick Lilley, that's a major oversight.

The Guardian - Music

"It has been a major oversight in my life," she said.

The New York Times

A major oversight is that the artists' media are nowhere discussed.

The New York Times - Books

But I didn't have to dig deep to realise it would be a major oversight.

The Guardian - Film

If there was one major oversight during this year's awards season, it was his shut-out for Take Shelter.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Critical reception is imperfect and it's not always aligned with popular taste, but major oversights are rare.

The New Yorker

But Goodkin has been accused of not properly informing the LAPD or the L.A. County district attorney of his Hollywood turn — major oversights, considering the prosecution of three of the Bling Ring defendants was still ongoing when he worked on the picture.

Los Angeles Times

One of the major oversights noted during the first assessment was that the labeled NFT were considered to be of significance even though the evaluators had been instructed otherwise.

Brain Pathology

Just an example of a simple-yet major-oversight.

Huffington Post

That is the painful truth… it was a major strategic oversight and we know who is responsible.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major oversight", ensure the context clearly indicates what was overlooked and why it is significant. This helps readers understand the full impact of the oversight.

Common error

Avoid using "major oversight" for minor or trivial errors. Reserve it for situations where the oversight has significant consequences or implications. Otherwise, opt for milder terms like "small mistake" or "minor error".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major oversight" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "major" modifies the noun "oversight". Ludwig provides examples where it describes a significant failure or error that has been overlooked. It commonly serves to identify and emphasize the importance of the overlooked aspect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major oversight" is a commonly used phrase to describe a significant error or failure to notice something important. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be readily used in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, but also in science and academic contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the oversight truly carries substantial consequences to avoid exaggeration. Alternatives such as "significant blunder" or "critical error" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical error

Highlights the potential for severe consequences due to the mistake.

grave mistake

Indicates a profound and impactful error, often with significant ramifications.

significant blunder

Emphasizes the seriousness and impact of the error.

glaring error

Suggests that the mistake was obvious and easily noticeable.

serious lapse

Focuses on a temporary failure to maintain a standard of correctness.

notable omission

Draws attention to something important that was left out or neglected.

massive failure

Underscores the significant degree of failure or inadequacy.

huge slip-up

Implies a large and consequential mistake, often with a casual connotation.

substantial neglect

Focuses on the failure to adequately care for or attend to something important.

key negligence

Highlights a lack of proper care or attention to essential aspects.

FAQs

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

You can use "major oversight" to describe a significant error or failure to notice something important. For example: "The project's failure was due to a major oversight in the planning phase."

What are some alternatives to "major oversight"?

You can use alternatives like "significant blunder", "critical error", or "serious lapse" depending on the context.

Is "major oversight" the same as "minor oversight"?

No, "major oversight" refers to a significant mistake with notable consequences, while "minor oversight" indicates a less important or consequential error.

What's the difference between "major oversight" and "negligence"?

"Major oversight" typically implies an unintentional failure to notice something important, while "negligence" suggests a deliberate or careless disregard of duty or responsibility.