overlooked this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overlooked this" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to something that has been missed or not noticed. Example: "I realized I had overlooked this important detail in the report." Alternative expressions include "missed this" and "neglected this."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Perhaps the architects overlooked this".

The Guardian - Arts

While most in the West seem to have overlooked this dynamic, Tehran has not.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

East division with Florida, the Volunteers were somewhat overlooked this season, even in their own region.

The New York Times - Sports

So far, the current farm bill has completely overlooked this critical issue.

The New York Times

I would have overlooked this if my friend hadn't mentioned it.

The New York Times - Arts

The balcony overlooked "this green extravaganza" of Central Park, she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Both said they felt the significance of this looming cut had been wrongly overlooked this week as the government highlighted its readiness to backtrack on PIP cuts.

The Guardian

Q. Was there anything you thought was overlooked this year? A. I don't go to see everything.

The New York Times

Unfairly overlooked, this 1993 meta-action film provided Arnie with a chance to poke fun at his persona, quite literally, as the actor played himself.

The Guardian - Film

Mitchell, a banker for many amateur Booker predictors, joined other writers including Ian McEwan, Martin Amis, Sarah Waters and Donna Tartt who were overlooked this year.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase after an auxiliary verb like "have" or "had" to describe a past oversight that has current relevance.

Common error

Do not confuse "overlooked this" with "looked over this". While the former means failing to notice something, the latter means to have examined or reviewed something quickly. Using the wrong one can completely flip the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overlooked this" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "overlooked" is the past participle and "this" serves as the direct object (a demonstrative pronoun). According to Ludwig, it is most frequently used in the perfect aspect (e.g., "have overlooked") to denote a state of omission.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overlooked this" is a highly reliable and versatile expression used to describe the act of missing or neglecting a detail, fact, or location. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a staple in high-quality journalism and scientific literature. It is most effective when used to introduce a correction or a new discovery that was previously ignored. Writers should be careful not to confuse it with the phrasal verb "looked over", which implies a deliberate inspection rather than an accidental omission. Overall, it is a sophisticated alternative to simpler verbs like "missed" or "ignored".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missed this

More informal and common in everyday conversation.

failed to notice this

A more descriptive and slightly more formal way to express the same idea.

neglected this

Suggests a lack of proper care or attention.

disregarded this

Carries a stronger sense of active dismissal.

ignored this

Implies a more intentional decision to not address something.

passed over this

Often used when something is skipped in a sequence or selection process.

omitted this

Common in technical or editing contexts to mean left out.

bypassed this

Suggests going around something, often to save time.

underestimated this

Focuses on failing to recognize the true importance or value.

slighted this

Used when an omission is perceived as a lack of respect.

FAQs

How do I use "overlooked this" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a missing detail, such as: "I realized I had "overlooked this" crucial piece of evidence during the initial investigation."

What is the difference between "overlooked this" and "missed this"?

While both mean to fail to notice something, "missed this" is more general and informal, whereas "overlooked this" is often preferred in formal, professional, or academic writing.

Can "overlooked this" be used to describe a view?

Yes, it can also function literally in a spatial context. For example: "The balcony "overlooked this" beautiful garden."

Is it correct to say "have overlooked this"?

Yes, "have overlooked this" is a standard present perfect construction used to indicate an oversight that occurred at an unspecified time in the past.