oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "oversight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of overseeing something or to describe an unintentional failure to notice or do something. Example: "The project was delayed due to an oversight in the scheduling process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The MPs and peers suggested that the new legislation should list every intrusive capability available to the security services and specify their purpose, authorisation procedure and what safeguards and oversight procedures exist for their use.

The Guardian

Anderson has said his review considered the safeguards to privacy, issues of transparency and oversight as well as the powers needed to meet the challenge of changing technologies.

The Guardian

"This is a circumscribed narrow system, directed at us being able to protect our people and all of it is done with the oversight of the courts".

The Guardian

Ministers promise to provide for "appropriate oversight arrangements and safeguards", but there is no immediate detail on how the complex web of intelligence and surveillance commissioners and parliamentary oversight might be strengthened.

The Guardian

But what it was actually doing was putting the dealers' interest in no oversight ahead of the public's interest in a fair marketplace.

The Economist

Student protests in Amsterdam and other Dutch universities in 1969 gave rise to the 1970 University Governance Reorganisation Act which established a much stronger level of student and staff representation in university governance as well as greater democratic oversight and control of university finances.

The Guardian

Those agencies follow a defined oversight chain, detailing who in the executive branch can approve intelligence operations and who in the legislature must be informed about them.

The Guardian

Asked about domestic opposition to the deal, the White House said it was not opposed to Congress providing oversight over the final settlement, but was vehemently opposed to legislation that would either empower the legislature to approve the deal or otherwise prevent officials from finalising the detail.

The Guardian

Yet what is demonstrated beyond question is the devastating lack of proper local oversight in the schools landscape following Michael Gove's education programme.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is also proposing that the government can add $2bn to its coffers by closing loopholes on multinational tax avoidance, such as changing guidelines on what can be classified as company assets, and allowing the Tax Office to have greater oversight over big international firms.

The Guardian

He named the chairs of the Senate and house intelligence committee, Dianne Feinstein and Mike Rogers, as people who had "elected" him to his whistleblower position by not doing their jobs properly in ensuring the oversight of the NSA.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "oversight" to emphasize responsibility for monitoring and preventing errors or ensuring compliance within an organization or process. Be specific about who is responsible for the oversight to ensure accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "oversight" when describing situations where there is no authority to make corrections. "Oversight" implies both awareness and the power to intervene.

Linguistic Context

The noun "oversight" functions primarily to denote the action of overseeing or supervising, ensuring that activities are conducted correctly and efficiently. It can also refer to an unintentional omission or mistake. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the usage of "oversight" is correct and applicable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "oversight" is a commonly used noun that correctly describes the act of supervising or unintentionally omitting something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and applicable across various contexts, particularly in news and media and formal business settings. To ensure clarity, it's essential to use "oversight" to emphasize the responsibilities and accountability in monitoring processes. Be mindful to avoid its use when there is no direct authority or control. Related terms such as "supervision", "management", and "regulation" may provide more specific connotations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supervision

Refers more directly to the act of watching and directing something.

management

Implies a broader role in controlling and organizing.

control

Emphasizes authority and command.

regulation

Focuses on the enforcement of rules and standards.

monitoring

Highlights the act of observing and checking progress.

surveillance

Suggests a more watchful and potentially intrusive form of observation.

inspection

Involves a detailed examination to ensure compliance.

lapse

Indicates a failure to notice or prevent something.

omission

Points to something that has been left out or neglected.

neglect

Emphasizes a lack of attention or care.

FAQs

How is "oversight" typically used in a sentence?

"Oversight" is used to describe the action of overseeing or supervising something, or to refer to an unintentional failure to notice something. For example, "The project requires careful "supervision" to avoid errors."

What are some synonyms for "oversight"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "oversight" include "supervision", "management", "lapse", or "omission".

What's the difference between "oversight" and "insight"?

"Oversight" refers to the act of overseeing or failing to notice something, while "insight" refers to a deep understanding of something. They have opposite meanings.

When is it appropriate to use "oversight" in a formal context?

"Oversight" is appropriate in formal contexts when discussing governance, regulation, or the monitoring of processes. It implies a formal responsibility and authority.