they were overlooked

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were overlooked" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, but typically it is used to describe a situation where someone or something was not given proper attention or consideration. Example: Despite their contributions to the project, the team members were overlooked for promotions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It is disappointing that they were overlooked for this exhibition.

The New York Times

The ingredients were there, well before the post-9/11 defense buildup, but they were overlooked.

The New York Times - Magazine

The season validated their belief, and the underlying reason they won is the same reason they were overlooked.

The Washington Post

In biology certain discoveries became useful only after they were "rediscovered". They were overlooked the first time due to inadequate means for dissemination of the initial discovery.

University of California, Berkeley

Iraq states that they were overlooked from 1991 from a batch of some 2,000 that were stored there during the gulf war.

The New York Times

Financial experts said that the bank's problems should have set off alarm bells sooner but that they were overlooked either because of incompetence, corruption or political pressure.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Zender thought they were overlooking the fact that "many American institutions — Social Security, unions, Medicare, the postal service — have elements of socialism".

The New Yorker

Had they been overlooked?

The Guardian

As a result, when opportunities do arise, they are overlooked.

The Guardian - Opinion

When it comes to appraisals, this can mean that they are overlooked for progression.

The Guardian

Some black clergy members and parishioners privately complain that they are overlooked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by specifying who or what "they" refers to and providing context as to why they were overlooked. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "they were overlooked" without a clear antecedent for "they". Ensure that the reader can easily identify who or what is being referred to, to prevent confusion and maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were overlooked" functions as a passive construction. According to Ludwig AI, it expresses that a group or set of items received insufficient attention or consideration. The phrase is frequently used to highlight omissions or oversights.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were overlooked" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that conveys the idea that something or someone was not given due attention or consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers various examples of its use. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, the phrase serves to highlight oversights or neglected aspects. While versatile, it's essential to ensure clarity by specifying the referent of "they" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "they were ignored" or "they were disregarded" offer similar meanings but may emphasize different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were disregarded

Focuses on the act of ignoring or dismissing something, emphasizing a lack of importance given.

they were ignored

Similar to disregarded, but implies a deliberate choice not to acknowledge something.

they were not considered

Highlights the absence of thought or evaluation in a decision-making process.

they were left out

Suggests exclusion from a group or process, implying a lack of inclusion.

they were missed

Indicates a failure to notice or recognize something of importance.

they were underestimated

Emphasizes a misjudgment of someone's or something's value or potential.

they were undervalued

Focuses on the inadequate appreciation of the worth or significance of something.

they were not appreciated

Highlights a lack of gratitude or recognition for contributions or qualities.

they were given short shrift

Implies that something was dealt with quickly and without proper attention.

they were passed over

Suggests that someone or something was bypassed in favor of another option.

FAQs

How can I use "they were overlooked" in a sentence?

You can use "they were overlooked" to indicate that certain aspects, people, or things were not given enough attention or were missed entirely. For example, "Despite their significance, key details "they were overlooked" during the initial investigation".

What are some alternatives to "they were overlooked"?

Alternatives include "they were ignored", "they were disregarded", or "they were not considered". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they were overlooked"?

Yes, "they were overlooked" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction indicating that "they" (the subject) were the recipients of the action of being overlooked.

What's the difference between "they were overlooked" and "they overlooked"?

"They were overlooked" is in the passive voice, meaning something happened to them. "They overlooked" is in the active voice, meaning they were the ones doing the overlooking, missing something, or ignoring something.