Meaning & use
error of omission
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountableformal
A mistake made by failing to do or include something that should have been done or included.
Grammar: Takes a: a serious error of omission.
Patterns
- an error of omission in something
- a costly error of omission
Leaving the allergy off the form was an error of omission that nearly harmed the patient.
The report contained no false claims, but it had a serious error of omission.
Forgetting to back up the files was an error of omission.
nouncountablebusinesstechnical
In accounting or reporting, a fact or entry that was left out, making the record incomplete or misleading.
Grammar: Used in audits and news about accuracy.
Patterns
- an error of omission in the accounts
- correct an error of omission
The auditor found an error of omission in the quarterly accounts.
A missing payment is an error of omission, not a miscalculation.
The newspaper corrected an error of omission in its story.
Word forms
| plural | errors of omission |
|---|
Common combinations
- commit an error of omission
- The nurse admitted to an error of omission in the chart.
- a sin of omission
- Not telling them was a sin of omission.
- errors of omission and commission
- Reviewers looked for errors of omission and commission.
- serious error of omission
- Skipping the safety check was a serious error of omission.
- correct an error of omission
- They corrected the error of omission in the next edition.
Synonyms and how they differ
- oversight
- Oversight is a more general and gentler word for a missed detail, while error of omission is a precise, formal term.
- lapse
- A lapse is a temporary failure of attention or standards, which may or may not involve leaving something out.
- sin of omission
- Sin of omission has a moral flavor, as it suggests blame for not acting.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: error of omission or error of commission?
error of omission vs error of commission
An error of commission is a wrong action that was taken, while an error of omission is a needed action that was not taken.
Practice
The pharmacist forgot to warn the customer about a side effect, which was an ___ rather than an error of commission.
Choose one answer.
An error of omission means something needed was left out. The other options use similar-looking words but are not recognized terms.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “error of omission”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.