were overlooked

USAGE SUMMARY

"were overlooked" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is the past tense form of the verb "overlook," which means to fail to notice or consider something. Example: Despite her careful preparations, some important details were overlooked in the final draft of the report.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But several details were overlooked.

The New York Times

The fire marshals were overlooked by Hollywood.

The New York Times

Somehow, the joys of eau de vie were overlooked.

The New York Times - Food

I suspect we were overlooked because we were too small.

The Guardian

I wanted to represent things that were overlooked in society.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The obvious holes in the witness's story were overlooked.

The New York Times

It is disappointing that they were overlooked for this exhibition.

The New York Times

Both Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller were overlooked by the Swedish Academy.

The Guardian

The 162 who died elsewhere, in seven other countries, were overlooked.

The Guardian

But not all home-care workers were overlooked by the bill.

The New York Times

Four children were born to them, but were overlooked by their parents.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were overlooked", ensure the subject clearly identifies what failed to receive adequate attention. This clarity helps avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "were overlooked" without a clear subject. This can lead to confusion about what exactly was missed or ignored. For example, instead of saying "Details were overlooked", specify "Important details were overlooked by the editors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were overlooked" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence received the action of being 'overlooked'. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

47%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were overlooked" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase indicating that something was unintentionally missed or not given enough attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase appears most commonly in News & Media and Science contexts. While the phrase is versatile, it's essential to ensure clarity by specifying what exactly was overlooked and by whom or what. Alternatives like "were missed" or "were ignored" can provide slightly different nuances depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were missed

Focuses on the failure to notice something, emphasizing a simple oversight.

were ignored

Highlights a deliberate act of disregarding or paying no attention to something.

were disregarded

Similar to 'ignored', but suggests a more conscious dismissal of something's importance.

were neglected

Implies a lack of care or attention, leading to something being forgotten or left undone.

were unseen

Emphasizes the lack of visibility or recognition of something.

were left out

Highlights the exclusion of something from a group or consideration.

were excluded

More formal than 'left out', implying a deliberate act of keeping something apart.

were bypassed

Suggests that something was skipped or not addressed, often intentionally.

were not considered

Focuses on the absence of thought or deliberation about something.

escaped notice

Emphasizes that something was not noticed, often due to being subtle or inconspicuous.

FAQs

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

You can use "were overlooked" to indicate that certain details, facts, or aspects were not noticed or considered. For example, "The potential benefits of the project "were overlooked" during the initial assessment".

What are some alternatives to "were overlooked"?

Alternatives include "were missed", "were ignored", or "were neglected". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "were overlooked" or "was overlooked"?

"Were overlooked" is used with plural subjects, while "was overlooked" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The details were overlooked", but "The error was overlooked".

What is the difference between "were overlooked" and "were ignored"?

"Were overlooked" suggests a failure to notice something, while "were ignored" implies a deliberate choice to disregard something. Something "were ignored" might have been noticed, but not acted upon.