was overlooked

USAGE SUMMARY

'was overlooked' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about something that was missed or ignored. For example, "The mistake in the contracts was overlooked by the supervisor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And still he was overlooked.

The New York Times - Sports

Nothing was overlooked.

The New York Times - Books

She was overlooked.

The New York Times

Elena was overlooked.

The New Yorker

He was overlooked at every level.

The New York Times - Sports

Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island, was overlooked.

The Economist

I wonder why the poll was overlooked.

The Guardian

But after 1945 Ronald was overlooked.

The Guardian

It was overlooked as an emotional outburst.

The Guardian - Opinion

But again, that evidence was overlooked.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps Russell's most prominent player was overlooked for other reasons.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was overlooked" when you want to emphasize that something important was unintentionally missed or not given due attention. It often implies a degree of negligence or oversight.

Common error

Avoid using "was overlooked" when you mean "was overseen". "Was overlooked" means something was missed, while "was overseen" means something was supervised or managed. The terms have opposite meanings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was overlooked" functions as a passive verb construction. It indicates that something or someone was not given the necessary attention, consideration, or recognition. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was overlooked" is a versatile and grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to indicate that something was missed, ignored, or not given due attention. Ludwig AI confirms that its use is correct and suitable for diverse contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, science, and wiki articles. When using this phrase, be mindful of its intended meaning and avoid confusing it with similar-sounding phrases like "was overseen". Alternatives such as "went unnoticed" and "was missed" can be used to add variety to your writing. Understanding these nuances will ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went unnoticed

Focuses on the lack of attention something received, similar to being overlooked.

was missed

Emphasizes the failure to notice or include something.

was ignored

Highlights the deliberate act of disregarding something.

was disregarded

Implies a conscious decision to not consider something important.

was neglected

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

was unheeded

Indicates that a warning or piece of advice was not listened to.

slipped through the cracks

Describes something that was missed due to systemic failure or oversight.

was left out

Highlights the act of excluding something or someone.

was bypassed

Indicates that something was intentionally avoided or circumvented.

escaped notice

Focuses on the fact that something was not observed or detected.

FAQs

How can I use "was overlooked" in a sentence?

Use "was overlooked" to indicate that something important was missed or not noticed. For example, "The critical detail "was overlooked" during the review process."

What's a good alternative to "was overlooked"?

Alternatives include "was missed", "went unnoticed", or "was ignored", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "was overlooked" and "was ignored"?

"Was overlooked" suggests something was missed unintentionally, while "was ignored" implies a deliberate decision to disregard something. If the error "was ignored" intentionally then there's a clear responsibility, unlike if it "was overlooked".

Is it correct to say "the error was overlooked by me"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. You can also say "I overlooked the error". Both constructions are acceptable, but the passive voice ("the error "was overlooked" by me") emphasizes the error, while the active voice ("I overlooked the error") emphasizes the person who made the mistake.