omission

USAGE SUMMARY

"omission" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of leaving something out or failing to do something. Example: The speaker's omission of important details made it difficult to understand their point.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many women love menstrual sex – and, even if they don't, the controversy over its omission in the movie testifies to its power on women's imagination.

The Guardian - Opinion

When the Bafta nominations were declared on 9 January, there was an even more puzzling – nay, outrageous – omission.

The Guardian - Film

For critics, however – and there are many in his home country – it may have more to do with allegations that he and the Roman Catholic church were guilty of the sin of omission – and perhaps worse – during the brutal military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983.

The Guardian

Accusations of this sin of omission have been levelled at Bergoglio.

The Guardian

Clarke's Australian team-mate Peter Siddle, the fast bowler who started the English season with Lancashire, said last week that he was pleased about Pietersen's omission.

The Guardian - Sport

"To avoid paying unlimited compensation, they have to show the crash was not due to negligence, omission or a wrongful act either by them or by their servants or agents," said Clive Garner, the head of aviation law at Irwin Mitchell, which has represented passengers' families in similar cases.

The Guardian

Other watches, of course, do not have theft protection, and neither do other smartwatches beyond lockscreens, but given Apple's existing system for its iPhone, its omission of an activation-lock-style feature makes the Apple Watch a more tempting target for thieves.

The Guardian - Tech

Sterling's omission from the starting XI had created the pre-match buzz and the substitute was jeered by plenty of travelling supporters by the tunnel in the corner as he returned to the dressing room after the warm-up.

The Guardian - Sport

For those who don't work over Christmas, spending the extended break with streaming sites also offers the chance to catch up on what you may have missed this year (I'm lining up Sons of Anarchy), or shows that may hang over you as a shameful omission from the canon (look, The West Wing is really long, OK?).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This was evident from another gaping omission from his speech: Andrew Lansley's rewiring of the English NHS.

The Guardian - Opinion

Presumably this omission was not accidental, though the idea of a WMD-free zone covering only parts of the region makes no sense.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "omission" to highlight not only what is missing, but also the intention (or lack thereof) behind the act. Was it accidental, negligent, or deliberate?

Common error

Ensure you don't confuse "omission" (something left out) with "commission" (something done). Using them interchangeably can drastically alter the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The word "omission" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the act of omitting or something that has been left out or excluded. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts. The examples show "omission" used to describe everything from the exclusion of details in reports to the non-inclusion of certain clauses in legal documents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "omission" is a versatile noun referring to the act of leaving something out. Ludwig AI validates that it is a correct and usable word. Its frequency is very common and it’s used in diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. To use it effectively, remember to be specific about what's omitted and its implications. Avoid confusing it with "commission". By understanding these nuances, you can use "omission" with precision and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaving out

Indicates the action of intentionally or unintentionally not including something.

deletion

Emphasizes the removal of something that was previously present or intended to be included.

non-inclusion

A more formal term for not including something, emphasizing the absence of incorporation.

exclusion

Focuses on the act of keeping something or someone out, emphasizing a deliberate act of prevention rather than oversight.

failure to include

Directly states the act of not adding something, highlighting the lack of incorporation.

oversight

Implies a failure to notice or consider something, often unintentional, leading to its exclusion.

exclusion from consideration

Specifies that something was not taken into account or given attention.

lapse

Suggests a temporary failure of judgment or attention, resulting in something being left out.

neglect

Highlights a lack of attention or care, causing something to be omitted or left undone.

intentional disregard

Highlights a deliberate choice to ignore or omit something, suggesting a conscious decision.

FAQs

How can I use "omission" in a sentence?

You can use "omission" to describe something that has been left out or not done. For example, "The "omission" of key details made the report inaccurate."

What's the difference between "omission" and "exclusion"?

"Omission" refers to the act of leaving something out, while "exclusion" implies a deliberate act of keeping something out. "Exclusion" often suggests a conscious decision to prevent inclusion, whereas omission can be unintentional.

What are some alternatives to the word "omission"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "exclusion", "oversight", "neglect", or "deletion".

What does "sin of omission" mean?

A "sin of omission" refers to failing to do something that one has a moral or legal obligation to do. It's an act of negligence or inaction that results in harm or wrongdoing.