small oversight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small oversight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor mistake or error that is often unintentional. Example: "The report was delayed due to a small oversight in the data collection process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Forgetting the law of conservation of energy is no small oversight.

MIT Technology Review

The forewoman praised the lawyer's tactic, except for one small oversight: The lone person who did not look up to the courtroom door was none other than his client.

The New York Times

Surgical operations are so risky that most often a small oversight may lead to serious losses.

Mathematical Sciences

And then we discovered a small oversight: I was using the same toothbrush.

TechCrunch

When Android first launched in October of 2008, it seemed like either a small oversight or precautionary measure that the browser bundled with it wasn't branded as Chrome.

TechCrunch

This is no small oversight.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Most software bugs are a result of small oversights by a programmer.

The New York Times

This shows small oversights can have huge ramifications, and these high-profile examples are likely to be just a small fraction of the total.

The Guardian

Even small oversights "make my blood boil a little," he says.

Forbes

If you are not careful, even small oversights or errors you make can result in a more difficult and costlier divorce.

Huffington Post

Given this history, any sane person might reflexively seek to minimize small oversights, play down innocent acts of carelessness, or not fully disclose mistakes of no apparent consequence, for fear of cutting loose the next attack dogs.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small oversight", consider the context to ensure the adjective accurately reflects the severity of the mistake. If the impact is significant, a different phrase might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "small oversight" when the error has major consequences. This can diminish the seriousness of the situation and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small oversight" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "oversight". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is perfectly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small oversight" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a minor error or omission. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and serves to acknowledge an error while often minimizing its importance. For situations needing a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "minor error" or "slight lapse". However, do not use "small oversight" if the consequences are significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor mistake

Focuses on the error aspect, emphasizing it's not significant.

trivial error

Highlights the insignificance of the error.

slight lapse

Emphasizes the temporary nature and small impact of the error.

insignificant omission

Draws attention to the act of leaving something out and its lack of importance.

minor slip-up

Suggests a casual and easily forgiven mistake.

negligible error

Implies the error is so small it's practically nonexistent.

inconsequential mistake

Highlights that the mistake has no real impact or consequences.

minor fault

Focuses on the imperfection, yet of small importance.

technicality

Suggests that the mistake is a minor, formal requirement.

detail overlooked

Emphasizes the lack of attention to a particular element

FAQs

What does "small oversight" mean?

A "small oversight" refers to a minor mistake or error that is often unintentional and has limited consequences.

How to use "small oversight" in a sentence?

You can use "small oversight" in a sentence like: "The project delay was due to a "small oversight" in the planning phase."

What can I say instead of "small oversight"?

You can use alternatives like "minor mistake", "trivial error", or "slight lapse" depending on the context.

Is "small oversight" a formal or informal phrase?

"Small oversight" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "minor error".