may be overlooked

USAGE SUMMARY

"may be overlooked" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that could potentially be missed or not given enough attention. Example: "Although it was mentioned in the report, the key recommendation may be overlooked by the committee during their decision-making process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do I think it may be overlooked because I'm female?

The New York Times

Yet amid the enthusiasm, the risks may be overlooked.

The Economist

To be fair, there are many good things which may be overlooked.

The Guardian - Books

They are indeed well camouflaged and may be overlooked in vegetation.

The Guardian

"Certain types of abuse – under-reported, misunderstood – may be overlooked by the authorities," she said.

The Guardian

And where relevant evidence already exists it may be overlooked or ignored.

The Guardian

That reference may be overlooked in Boston but surely not in Detroit.

The New York Times

(An unvirtuous personal life may be overlooked, however: this is the 21st century, after all).

The Economist

In real life, when nurses are overworked, a patient in distress may be overlooked.

The New York Times

It may be overlooked as a leadership quality, but I think it's really important.

The New York Times

In his first two years of Hall of Fame eligibility, Mussina may be overlooked.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be overlooked" to gently suggest a possibility of something being missed, rather than making a strong claim. This softens the statement and makes it more palatable.

Common error

Avoid using "may be overlooked" when the situation demands a stronger, more assertive expression of negligence or oversight. In such cases, consider phrases like "was ignored" or "was deliberately disregarded".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be overlooked" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express the possibility that something might be missed or not noticed. It is frequently employed to soften claims or suggest a potential oversight, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be overlooked" is a grammatically correct and frequently used modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility that something might be missed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it serves to issue gentle warnings or suggest potential oversights. While various alternatives exist, such as "could be missed" or "might be forgotten", "may be overlooked" offers a balance of formality and caution. Remember to use it judiciously, especially in contexts requiring stronger, more assertive language. With high source authority and consistent usage, "may be overlooked" remains a reliable choice for general writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be missed

Changes the modal verb from 'may' to 'could', suggesting a slightly lower probability.

might be forgotten

Replaces 'overlooked' with 'forgotten', focusing on the aspect of being forgotten rather than missed.

could go unnoticed

Emphasizes the lack of detection rather than a deliberate overlooking.

might escape attention

Highlights the act of avoiding attention, making it subtly different from being simply overlooked.

could be disregarded

Focuses on intentional neglect rather than accidental oversight.

might be neglected

Suggests a lack of care or attention, shifting the focus slightly from oversight.

could slip through the cracks

An idiomatic expression implying something is missed due to system flaws.

might fall by the wayside

Suggests something is abandoned or forgotten during a process.

could be left out

Focuses on the act of omission rather than oversight.

might not be noticed

Emphasizes the lack of observation.

FAQs

How to use "may be overlooked" in a sentence?

You can use "may be overlooked" to indicate a possibility that something might be missed or not given enough attention. For example: "Important details "may be overlooked" during the initial assessment."

What can I say instead of "may be overlooked"?

You can use alternatives like "could be missed", "might be forgotten", or "could go unnoticed" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "may be overlooked" or "might be overlooked"?

Both "may be overlooked" and "might be overlooked" are correct. The choice between them depends on the degree of possibility you want to express. "May" suggests a slightly higher probability than "might", but they are often used interchangeably.

What's the difference between "may be overlooked" and "may be ignored"?

"May be overlooked" suggests something is missed unintentionally, while "may be ignored" implies a deliberate act of disregarding or neglecting something.