overlooking

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "overlooking" is a perfectly acceptable and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or something that is in a higher position or authority to something or someone else, or to describe a scene or view that is in the higher position. For example, "We had a wonderful meal at the restaurant overlooking the lake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

italrest.com, from $40 a night This is pretty much the definition of off-the-beaten-track perfection, at the end of a pot-holed lane that peters away into a dirt track overlooking a deserted cove.

The Guardian - Travel

35 avenue George V, Etretat, [phone], etretat-hotel-angleterre.com, doubles from €69 The vast bay where the Somme river comes out into the sea is one of France's most bewitching wetlands, and overlooking this sandy horizon is the spectacular Tourelles hotel.

The Guardian - Travel

Armenians want restoration of their historic lands in eastern Turkey, which is asking too much (although I have suggested that the majestic Mount Ararat, overlooking Yerevan, might be handed over by Turkey as an act of reconciliation).

The Guardian - Books

The caffeteria has huge glass windows overlooking a lush garden, the high ceiling hanging with flamboyant chandeliers.

The Guardian - Travel

And if you want to stay longer, the owner's brother owns the bar next door, overlooking the river.

The Guardian - Travel

The pigeons have been cleared from the clock tower – where an electric motor now powers the original cogs – overlooking trees, granite benching and new lighting designed to show off the architecture by night.

The Guardian

As with many of the tracks across the barene, this one goes nowhere, but fortunately the dead end is also the site of Agriturismo La Barena, an ancient redbrick farmhouse overlooking the lagoon, with six guest rooms.

The Guardian - Travel

She tells me this as we sit in her office in the Maison Diamantée, a beautifully restored mansion from the 16th century overlooking the old port.

The Guardian

Many critics accused Téchiné of overlooking the strangeness of mythomania and creating instead a pseudo-political polemic, which sought to attack the government and society for its demonisation of the kids from the banlieues.

The Guardian - Film

You can mingle with others in lounge rooms overlooking the water – complete with wine supply, wood-fuelled fire and board games – and over dinner, where there is communal dining in the nearby lake house.

The Guardian - Travel

We spent a summer in Milan in an flat overlooking the Naviglio Grande canal – an arty neighbourhood quiet until after dark, when intrepid foodies descended on the local aperitivo bars and trattorias.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overlooking" to vividly describe a location or property's advantageous view or position, enhancing the reader's understanding and appreciation of the setting.

Common error

Avoid using "overlooking" when you mean "overseeing". "Overlooking" refers to having a view of something from above or failing to notice something, while "overseeing" means supervising or managing.

Linguistic Context

The word "overlooking" primarily functions as a present participle or gerund, often used to describe something that has a view of something else or to indicate negligence. Ludwig's examples show how it modifies nouns or acts as part of a continuous verb tense.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overlooking" is a versatile term that functions primarily as a present participle or gerund. It's used both to describe a view or location and to indicate negligence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. Its presence across diverse sources, like The Guardian and The Economist, highlights its neutrality and suitability for varied contexts. When writing, remember to differentiate between "overlooking" and "overseeing" to avoid confusion. The analysis emphasizes that mastering "overlooking" enhances both descriptive and analytical writing skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking out over

A more literal and descriptive way of expressing the action of viewing.

with a view of

Focuses on the existence of a view, often scenic.

giving a view of

Highlights the act of providing a view.

commanding a view of

Emphasizes the dominance or superiority of the viewpoint.

dominating

Suggests a position of power or prominence in relation to the landscape.

overhanging

Describes something that extends or projects over something else.

failing to notice

Focuses on the act of not seeing or recognizing something.

disregarding

Similar to neglecting, but can imply a more conscious choice.

neglecting

Shifts the meaning to ignoring or disregarding something.

missing

Indicates the act of failing to see or include something.

FAQs

How is the word "overlooking" used in a sentence?

The word "overlooking" can be used to describe a view, as in "The restaurant was "overlooking the ocean"", or to indicate neglecting something, such as "He was accused of "overlooking important details"".

What is a synonym for "overlooking" when describing a view?

When describing a view, synonyms for "overlooking" include "commanding a view of", "with a view of", or "looking out over".

What does it mean to say someone is "overlooking" something?

To say someone is "overlooking" something can mean they are failing to notice or consider it. Alternatives include "neglecting", "disregarding", or "failing to notice".

Is it correct to use "overlooking" to describe a mistake?

Yes, it is correct. In this context, "overlooking" implies that the mistake was due to a failure to notice or consider something important. For instance, "He was "overlooking the strangeness" of the situation".