overlooked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overlooked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been missed, ignored, or not noticed, often unintentionally. Example: "Many important details were overlooked during the review process, leading to several errors in the final report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is traditional to complain that comedy is overlooked in awards ceremonies — and I have done my own share of whingeing on this account — so it's great to see properly funny films rewarded in this way.

The Guardian - Film

When Labour lost in 2010, Balls was originally overlooked by Miliband as shadow chancellor and only took on the role to which he was well suited after the departure of Alan Johnson.

The Guardian

Here are three more allegations made by students whose names have been removed: A student at a Russell Group university in the north of England says that in spite of gender equality on campus being an important issue on a national level, it appeared to go largely overlooked by year abroad organisers and support staff.

The Guardian

Mental health care is often described as the Cinderella of medicine – overlooked, disparaged, and generally neglected.

The Guardian

Former Lib Dem MP Evan Harris told the Guardian that often overlooked were Kennedy's nerves of steel in the face of intense pressure, throughout his political career.

The Guardian

Many western observers also overlooked how the Olympics were part of Putin's grand strategy to modernize Russia by locking it into international commitments that force it to produce results under global scrutiny.

The Guardian - Opinion

The album came out in mid-January, which means it could have been easily overlooked.

The Guardian - Music

Among other things, the two neighbouring countries decided to build an oil pipeline to link the oilfields in southern Iraq with Iran's vast refinery in Abadan- an agreement overlooked by the American media.

The Guardian - Opinion

While Pietersen's talents are not in question – he sits as the country's highest scorer across all three formats of the sport with 13,779 runs – the absence of trust from both sides, the media was told, meant the 34-year-old would continue to be overlooked.

The Guardian - Sport

Sadly, Bird has been overlooked for both awards and film projects over the years.

The Guardian - Opinion

The red carpet runs up the steps of the Palais, bathed in sunlight, patrolled by goons, and overlooked by the milling crowds down on the Croisette.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overlooked", consider whether a more specific term like "neglected" or "disregarded" might better convey the reason why something was missed. The context of your writing will dictate the best word choice.

Common error

While "overlooked" is versatile, it can sometimes sound informal in highly academic or technical contexts. Opt for alternatives like "neglected" or "pretermitted" to maintain a professional tone in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overlooked" is to serve as a past participle of the verb overlook, indicating something that has been missed or not noticed. It can also function as an adjective, describing something that has been missed or remains unnoticed, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Sport

10%

Opinion

9%

Less common in

Travel

3%

Books

3%

TV & Radio

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overlooked" is a versatile term used to describe something that has been missed or not given due attention. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Sports, and Opinion pieces. It can function as a past participle or an adjective, serving to highlight oversights or deficiencies. While "overlooked" is generally appropriate, considering synonyms like "missed", "neglected", or "disregarded" can add precision to your writing. Remember, the key is to match the tone and context of your writing for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missed

This is a direct synonym focusing on the failure to notice something.

unnoticed

Highlights that something did not attract attention.

neglected

Implies a lack of care or attention, suggesting a responsibility was not met.

left out

Focuses on the exclusion of something from a group or consideration.

disregarded

Suggests a conscious decision to ignore or dismiss something.

not taken into account

Emphasizes the failure to consider something relevant.

underestimated

Indicates that something's importance or value was not properly assessed.

lost sight of

Indicates a gradual forgetting or ignoring of something important.

bypassed

Conveys that something was skipped or avoided.

pretermitted

A more formal term for omitting something.

FAQs

How can I use "overlooked" in a sentence?

You can use "overlooked" to indicate that something was missed or not noticed. For example, "Many important details were "overlooked" during the review process."

What is a good alternative to "overlooked"?

Alternatives include "missed", "neglected", or "disregarded", depending on the context. Each of these carries a slightly different nuance.

Which is correct: "the detail was overlooked" or "the detail was ignore"?

While both can be used, "the detail was "overlooked"" implies it was unintentionally missed, whereas "the detail was ignore" suggests it was deliberately disregarded.

What's the difference between "overlooked" and "ignored"?

"Overlooked" suggests something was missed unintentionally, while "ignored" implies a conscious decision to disregard something. The former is often a passive oversight, whereas the latter is an active choice.