to overlook

USAGE SUMMARY

"to overlook" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of not noticing or not taking into account something. For example, "I completely overlooked the possibility of rain, which is why I'm now stuck in the middle of a downpour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They'd try to overlook it.

The New Yorker

A lot to overlook.

The New York Times

Try to overlook his unfortunate blind spot.

The New York Times

Social service professionals tend to overlook strengths.

The New York Times

Review features that are easy to overlook.

The New York Times - Tech

Still, there is much to overlook.

The New York Times

Lazarus seemed prepared to overlook such attitudes.

The New York Times - Arts

I try to overlook it".

The New York Times - Arts

It's easy to overlook prisoners.

The Washington Post

We don't want to overlook the intangibles".

The New Yorker

"It's hard to overlook that much money".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to overlook", ensure the subject clearly indicates who or what is doing the overlooking, and the object specifies what is being overlooked. For example, "Managers often overlook the importance of employee feedback".

Common error

Avoid using "to overlook" when you mean "to oversee". "To overlook" means to fail to notice something, while "to oversee" means to supervise or manage something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to overlook" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase. It indicates the action of failing to notice something or choosing to ignore it. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its usage in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to overlook" is a versatile and commonly used infinitive verb phrase that signifies failing to notice or intentionally ignoring something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, from news reports to academic papers. While generally safe to use, writers should be mindful not to confuse it with "to oversee", which has an opposite meaning. By understanding its nuances and contexts, you can effectively incorporate "to overlook" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to miss

Focuses on failing to notice or perceive something.

to disregard

Implies a conscious decision to ignore or dismiss something.

to disregard

Suggests a deliberate act of ignoring something, often implying it's unimportant.

to neglect

Highlights a failure to care for or attend to something properly.

to fail to see

Focuses on a lack of understanding or awareness.

to pay no attention to

Emphasizes a lack of focus or consideration.

to take no notice of

Similar to "miss", but can imply a more active ignoring.

to turn a blind eye to

Suggests a deliberate choice to ignore something, often something wrong or undesirable.

to gloss over

Implies a superficial treatment, avoiding detailed examination.

to let pass

Implies allowing something to go unaddressed or unpunished.

FAQs

How can I use "to overlook" in a sentence?

You can use "to overlook" to describe failing to notice something important, such as, "It's easy "to overlook" small details when you're in a hurry."

What's a good alternative for "to overlook"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to miss", "to neglect", or "to disregard" instead of "to overlook".

Is it better to say "overlook" or "fail to notice"?

Both "overlook" and "fail to notice" are correct, but "overlook" can sometimes imply a more deliberate or intentional decision to ignore something, whereas "fail to notice" is generally neutral.

What's the difference between "to overlook" and "to oversee"?

"To overlook" means to miss or fail to notice something, while "to oversee" means to supervise or manage something. They have opposite meanings and are not interchangeable.