slight oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight oversight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor mistake or error that has been made, often unintentionally. Example: "I apologize for the slight oversight in the report; I will correct it immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

During this entire process, there was one slight oversight.

Forbes

Despite that slight oversight, the British Overseas Territory marked their historic recognition as the newest member of Uefa by holding Slovakia to a goalless draw in Portugal last November.

BBC

Unfortunately, due to that slight oversight, I'm not going to be able to pull out insightful moments from the book to interpret Katie's collection for you, but I'll do my best to try.

Vice

Perhaps a slight oversight has been not to explore the allied heath care professional's view, because such staff frequently interact with METs and in certain circumstances are recruited to be an active MET member.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Hall of Fame recently addressed this slight historic oversight by opening an annex, in Soho.

The New Yorker

However random, voters got it right this year, with five remarkable old sets of recordings that jump decades and continents, in the process updating the slights and oversights of the marketplace.

Los Angeles Times

Bolt's unnoticed arrival was in fact not a slight or an oversight, but a carefully planned national security necessity: in 2008, the official reception for his return from Beijing was mobbed by crowds of thousands and descended into something more like a riot.

The Guardian - Sport

But it is not within the power of a commander in chief to simply declare anyone anywhere a combatant and kill them, without the slightest advance independent oversight.

The New York Times

They are, Fass writes, "increasingly fearful that the slightest deviation in oversight will ruin their children's carefully prepared path into the future".

The New Yorker

In an unpublished, undated account held in the Archivo Histórico Cinematográfico, she writes: "the memoir introduces a subjective element that allows the author slight errors and oversights". Fictionalization did not stop subsequent critics from lamenting the narration's extreme nationalism.

Columbia University

Mr Francis is the head of the Singapore-based company Glenn Defence Marine Asia Ltd. (GDMA), and according to investigators he worked with Cmdr Misiewicz to move ships "like chess pieces", diverting them with little notice through ports where oversight was slight.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slight oversight", ensure the context clarifies that the error is indeed minor and does not significantly impact the situation. If the error has major consequences, consider using a stronger term.

Common error

Avoid using "slight oversight" to describe errors that have significant or far-reaching consequences. Using the phrase in such contexts can undermine your credibility and downplay the actual impact of the mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight oversight" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It denotes a minor mistake or omission. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase appears in varied contexts, typically to acknowledge a small error.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slight oversight" is a noun phrase used to describe a minor mistake or omission. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and often used in both formal and informal contexts. It's important to use it when the error is genuinely minor, avoiding exaggeration of its severity. Alternatives include "minor error" or "small mistake". While the phrase is relatively uncommon, it is appropriate for a variety of situations, particularly in news and media, where a neutral tone is often desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor error

Emphasizes the error aspect, suggesting a mistake of small consequence.

small mistake

Highlights the mistake aspect, indicating a trivial fault.

trivial omission

Focuses on the act of omitting something, portraying it as insignificant.

insignificant error

Stresses the lack of importance of the error.

minor slip-up

Implies a casual and unimportant mistake.

small blunder

Suggests a more careless mistake, though still minor.

oversight

Simplifies the phrase, omitting the adjective 'slight' while retaining the core meaning.

inadvertent error

Highlights that the error was unintentional.

unintentional mistake

Similar to "inadvertent error", but using different wording to express the lack of intent.

negligible mistake

Underlines the unimportance and near absence of impact of the mistake.

FAQs

How to use "slight oversight" in a sentence?

You can use "slight oversight" to describe a minor error or omission, as in "There was a slight oversight in the report, but it has been corrected".

What can I say instead of "slight oversight"?

Alternatives include "minor error", "small mistake", or "trivial omission" depending on the context.

Is "slight oversight" formal or informal?

"Slight oversight" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although in highly formal situations, you might prefer a more precise term like "minor discrepancy".

What's the difference between "slight oversight" and "major error"?

The key difference lies in the severity. "Slight oversight" implies a minor and easily correctable mistake, while "major error" indicates a significant problem with potentially serious consequences.