omit to

USAGE SUMMARY

"omit to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating the failure to do something intentionally or unintentionally. Example: "He omitted to mention the deadline during the meeting." Alternative expressions include "failed to" and "neglected to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

(The parents omit to tell him it's a temporary dog).

The Guardian - Books

Would the BBC omit to screen it, claiming that Lineker's blood had accidentally corrupted the tape?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Did I omit to say that it also features a dog named Montmorency?

The Guardian - Books

Perhaps we all omit to look closely at people we consider friends.

The Guardian - Opinion

It means to omit, to disregard or slide over a letter, syllable or word.

Independent

It can be done in those midseason events that auction house marketing departments omit to hype.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Mr Berlusconi has omitted to groom anyone.

The Economist

The series title "may be omitted to save space".

The New Yorker

I omitted to mention this on the day.

The New Yorker

Not omitting to work in Man the Measure.

The New Yorker

However, he omitted to disclose who The Secret Footballer is.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "omit to" when you want to emphasize that something was left out, whether intentionally or unintentionally. This phrasing often carries a slightly more formal tone than simply saying "fail to".

Common error

While "omit to" is grammatically sound, overuse in informal contexts can sound stilted. Consider whether a simpler phrase like "didn't mention" or "failed to" would be more appropriate for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "omit to" primarily functions as a verb phrase used to indicate a deliberate or unintentional failure to include or mention something. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it often suggests a purposeful exclusion or a negligent oversight.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "omit to" is a grammatically correct and relatively common verb phrase used to express a failure or decision not to do something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While similar phrases such as "fail to" and "neglect to" exist, "omit to" often implies a deliberate choice or oversight. When writing, consider the context and whether a simpler or more direct phrase would be more appropriate for your intended audience. Ludwig's examples show us that this expression is a good fit in professional environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail to

Focuses on the lack of success or ability in performing an action.

neglect to

Emphasizes a lack of attention or care resulting in the non-performance of an action.

forget to

Highlights unintentional failure to perform an action due to memory lapse.

decline to

Indicates a deliberate refusal to perform an action.

refuse to

Suggests a stronger and more explicit rejection of performing an action.

avoid to

Implies an intention to prevent the performance of an action.

abstain to

Suggests a conscious decision to refrain from doing something, often for moral or ethical reasons.

shirk to

Implies evading a responsibility or duty.

pass over to

To ignore or bypass to.

miss to

To not catch or not be present at.

FAQs

How can I use "omit to" in a sentence?

You can use "omit to" to indicate a failure to do something, either intentionally or unintentionally. For example: "He "omitted to mention" the change in plans."

What's a more formal alternative to "omit to"?

While "omit to" is already quite formal, you could consider using phrases like "refrain from" or "forgo the opportunity to" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "omit to" and "fail to"?

"Fail to" generally indicates a lack of success in doing something. "Omit to" suggests something was intentionally or unintentionally left out. While they are similar, "omit to" often implies a deliberate choice, or a significant oversight. In contrast "fail to" is more of a description of a result rather than intentionality.

Is it ever incorrect to use "omit to"?

While grammatically correct, "omit to" may sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Choose more natural alternatives like "didn't mention" or "forgot to" in those settings.