may have neglected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may have neglected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a possibility that someone has overlooked or failed to pay attention to something in the past. Example: "In reviewing the project, I realized that I may have neglected to include some important details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Professor Trump may have neglected to make that sort of distinction clear to his nephew.

The New Yorker

Bush may have neglected to anticipate Iraqi resistance, but Saddam Hussein did not.

The New York Times - Books

Fashionable men: we feel like we may have neglected you on the shopping front of late.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In our preoccupation with the braking systems and exterior trim, we may have neglected the drivetrains of our corporations.

Harvard Business Review

The pay stubs may also show things that the borrower may have neglected to mention on the mortgage application.

The New York Times

Having lived in a cocoon of equality in college, we may have neglected these vital, real-world skills.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

At the same time, agents may occasionally have neglected, when opening a preliminary investigation, to record the fact that it developed out of an assessment.

The New York Times

Another possible explanation may be that researchers have neglected examining gendered differences in NSSI behaviors due to ignoring specific methods that may be more likely utilized by males (e.g., hitting) [ 22].

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

The makers of "Sylvia" may, to some degree, have neglected this brilliant, unsettling and tragically foreshortened body of work, but they have not betrayed it.

The New York Times

This is a breathtaking ruling that would, if upheld, set a precedent establishing that a woman may be judged to have neglected her child before it is even born.

Huffington Post

After all, that statement may be accurate but I have neglected to note that in physical appearance, and in just about every other way, my mother and I are entirely different.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may have neglected" to politely suggest an oversight without directly accusing someone of negligence. For example: "The report is comprehensive, but you may have neglected to include the latest sales figures."

Common error

While "may have neglected" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal contexts. Opt for stronger verbs like "overlooked" or "failed to consider" to convey a more decisive tone and ensure clarity. This will strengthen your points and make your writing sound more authoritative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may have neglected" functions as a modal verb construction indicating a possibility or a suggestion of oversight. As Ludwig AI shows, this construction appears across various contexts to soften critique or point out potential omissions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

31%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may have neglected" is a versatile and frequently used expression to suggest a possible oversight or omission. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions grammatically as a modal verb construction and serves primarily to introduce possibilities rather than certainties, often with a diplomatic tone. While very common across various writing styles, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the level of certainty aligns with the intended message and consider alternatives such as "might have overlooked" or "could have forgotten" to fine-tune the tone. Avoid overuse in very formal writing for a stronger, more decisive impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have overlooked

Replaces "may" with "might", indicating a slightly weaker possibility.

could have forgotten

Suggests the possibility of forgetting something, implying a lack of attention.

might have disregarded

Uses "disregarded" instead of "neglected", emphasizing a conscious decision to ignore.

could have ignored

Similar to "disregarded", but with a more neutral connotation.

may have failed to consider

Rephrases "neglected" as a failure to think about something.

might not have accounted for

Suggests a failure to include something in a calculation or plan.

could have underestimated

Implies a failure to properly assess the importance or value of something.

may have taken lightly

Indicates that something was not treated with the appropriate level of seriousness.

might have skimped on

Suggests a failure to provide enough of something necessary.

could have omitted

Focuses on the act of leaving something out intentionally or unintentionally.

FAQs

How can I use "may have neglected" in a sentence?

The phrase "may have neglected" suggests a possibility of overlooking something. For instance, "The researchers may have neglected to account for environmental factors in their study."

What can I say instead of "may have neglected"?

Alternatives include "might have overlooked", "could have forgotten", or "may have failed to consider", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "may have neglected" or "definitely neglected"?

The choice depends on the certainty of the oversight. "May have neglected" implies a possibility, while "definitely neglected" asserts a fact. Use the former when uncertain and the latter when the oversight is confirmed.

What's the difference between "may have neglected" and "should have considered"?

"May have neglected" suggests a passive oversight, whereas "should have considered" implies a failure to fulfill an obligation to think about something. The latter carries a stronger tone of criticism.