overlook the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overlook the issue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of failing to notice or consider a particular problem or concern. Example: "In the meeting, several important points were raised, but unfortunately, the team chose to overlook the issue of budget constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It says 'To Whom It May Concern.' That is not my name". But after some discussion Mr. Baravi agreeably agreed to overlook the issue, this one time.

The New York Times

Furthermore, the majority of existing tools focus on evaluating the design alternatives after the decision making, and largely overlook the issue of informing the design before the decision making.

Energy and Buildings

"Many borrowers also overlook the issue of simple errors".

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And don't overlook the issues funding can raise, see this blog on why depending on state support can limit how some NGOs can campaign.

The Guardian

How had I overlooked the issue of unsecured guns in the homes my sons visited?

The New York Times

Abbie Kirkby, the advice and policy manager at Friends, Families and Travellers criticised the report for overlooking the issue of site provision.

The Guardian

But critics say that begs more questions than it answers, overlooking the issue of the long-term sustainability of such islands of biodiversity and failing to address whether we actually need to grow more food.

Yale University

Grant, who said he retained the full support of the Chelsea dressing room, despite their bewilderment over his tactics and substitutions against Tottenham, argued that Cole was not known for making bad tackles and, while that rather overlooked the issue of him haranguing referees, the view was endorsed by Arsène Wenger.

The Guardian - Sport

In the past, Congress overlooked the issue of cybersecurity because it faced no public pressure to address it.

TechCrunch

Literature on SO has mostly focused its attention on the technical factors, and has overlooked the issue of the human factor.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

It was hard to understand how the network, which claimed to be focussed on not whitewashing Russia's problems or overlooking the issues related to the anti-gay law in its coverage, could have managed such a faux pas.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overlook the issue", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is doing the overlooking and what the consequences might be. For example, "The committee chose to overlook the issue of long-term funding, which could jeopardize the project's sustainability."

Common error

Avoid confusing "overlook the issue" (meaning to fail to notice or consider something) with "oversee the issue" (meaning to supervise or manage something). The former implies a mistake or negligence, while the latter implies active involvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overlook the issue" functions as a verb phrase, where "overlook" is the verb indicating a failure to notice or consider, and "the issue" is the object of the verb. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a situation where a problem or concern is not adequately addressed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overlook the issue" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes a failure to notice or address a problem. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its occurrence is relatively uncommon. It is primarily used in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who is doing the overlooking and the potential consequences. Alternatives include "ignore the problem" or "disregard the matter". Be careful not to confuse it with "oversee the issue", which has the opposite meaning. A potential writing tip is to make clear who overlooked the issue and why this happened.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ignore the problem

Replaces "overlook" with "ignore", focusing on a deliberate disregard.

disregard the matter

Uses "disregard" and "matter" for a more formal tone.

neglect the subject

Emphasizes a lack of attention to the topic.

fail to consider the point

Highlights the omission of a specific consideration.

oversee the concern

A synonymic alteration that highlights a supervisory lapse.

be blind to the question

Metaphorically suggests a lack of awareness.

pass over the item

Indicates a skipping or omitting of a particular element.

turn a blind eye to the challenge

Implies a conscious choice to ignore a difficulty.

underestimate the gravity

Emphasizes a misjudgment of the issue's importance.

downplay the significance

Suggests a minimization of the issue's relevance.

FAQs

What does it mean to "overlook the issue"?

To "overlook the issue" means to fail to notice, acknowledge, or consider a particular problem or matter, often resulting in negative consequences.

What can I say instead of "overlook the issue"?

You can use alternatives like "ignore the problem", "disregard the matter", or "neglect the subject" depending on the context.

Is it better to "address the issue" or "overlook the issue"?

It's generally better to "address the issue" than to "overlook the issue". Addressing the issue implies taking action to solve a problem, while "overlooking the issue" means ignoring it, which can lead to further complications.

What are some consequences of "overlooking the issue"?

Consequences of "overlooking the issue" can include worsening of the problem, missed opportunities for improvement, and a decline in overall performance or quality.