may have overlooked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may have overlooked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone might have missed or failed to notice something in a previous context. Example: "I understand that you were busy, but you may have overlooked the deadline for the project submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Investigators may have overlooked them in an earlier search.

The New York Times

This year, the Cavaliers may have overlooked the Bulls.

The New York Times - Sports

But Fortune may have overlooked one force for evil: trendy management theories.

The New York Times

Despite the careful planning, he worries he may have overlooked something.

The New York Times

Ebersol said that the I.O.C. may have overlooked some facts about Athens.

The New York Times - Sports

Executives at CBS say they also may have overlooked some celebrities' ties to medical companies.

The New York Times

So if you tend to ignore certain e-mails, you may have overlooked this one.

The New York Times

In the event that I may have overlooked it, my best friend generously taped the page to my front door.

The New York Times - Magazine

Fans wailing for Keyshawn Johnson may have overlooked Martin, but they will be unable to forget him this season.

The New York Times - Sports

The report also criticized the F.B.I. for focusing so exclusively on Mr. Lee that it may have overlooked other suspects.

The New York Times

Hamidi's job was to seek out remote places in northern Afghanistan where people were in desperate need of help, spots that relief agencies may have overlooked.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing when using "may have overlooked". While generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from synonyms like "potentially disregarded" or "inadvertently ignored".

Common error

While "may have overlooked" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal documents. Repeated use can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "potentially disregarded" or "inadvertently ignored" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may have overlooked" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a possibility or suggestion that something was missed or not given sufficient attention. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, suggesting a potential oversight.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may have overlooked" is a versatile phrase used to suggest a potential oversight or failure to notice something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business writing. While "may have overlooked" is generally acceptable, it's essential to consider the context and formality of your writing. Synonyms like "might have missed" or "potentially disregarded" can provide suitable alternatives to prevent overuse and maintain a professional tone. Remember to clearly indicate what was possibly missed or neglected to avoid ambiguity. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of this phrase and its alternatives can enhance your writing and communication skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have missed

Uses "missed" instead of "overlooked", slightly altering the focus to the act of missing something rather than neglecting it.

potentially missed

Similar to "might have missed" but uses "potentially" to emphasize the possibility of the oversight.

failed to notice

Focuses on the failure to perceive or recognize something, changing the emphasis from neglect to perception.

could have neglected

Replaces "overlooked" with "neglected", emphasizing a lack of attention or care.

inadvertently ignored

Emphasizes the unintentional nature of the oversight by using "inadvertently".

possibly disregarded

Substitutes "overlooked" with "disregarded", implying a conscious decision to ignore something, although the possibility remains that this was unintentional.

conceivably ignored

Similar to "possibly disregarded" but uses "conceivably" to emphasize the possibility of the oversight.

perhaps underestimated

Changes the meaning to suggest a failure to appreciate the full extent or importance of something, rather than a simple oversight.

might have forgotten

Focuses on the act of forgetting, suggesting a memory lapse rather than a simple oversight.

may not have considered

Suggests a lack of thought or deliberation, implying a deeper level of neglect than simply overlooking.

FAQs

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

You can use "may have overlooked" to suggest that someone might have missed something, for example: "The investigators "may have overlooked" crucial evidence during the initial search."

What's a more formal alternative to "may have overlooked"?

In formal writing, consider alternatives such as "potentially disregarded" or "inadvertently ignored". For example, instead of "They "may have overlooked" the risks", you could say "They potentially disregarded the risks".

Is "may have overlooked" the same as "might have missed"?

While similar, "may have overlooked" suggests a potential neglect or failure to notice, while "might have missed" focuses more on the act of missing something. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "may have overlooked" and "may not have considered"?

"May have overlooked" implies a simple oversight or failure to notice something. "May not have considered" suggests a deeper lack of thought or deliberation, implying a more significant neglect.