Meaning & use
omitting
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“omitting” is a form of “omit”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitiveformal
Leaving something out, either because you choose to or because you forget it.
Grammar: Always takes an object: omitting a detail, omitting the last step.
Patterns
- omitting something from something
- omitting to do something
She was careful about omitting any private details from the report.
By omitting the final chapter, the editor shortened the book.
He was accused of omitting key facts from his testimony.
verbtransitiveformal
Failing to do something that should have been done.
Grammar: Often used with to and a verb in formal writing: omitting to lock the door.
Patterns
- omitting to do something
The clerk was blamed for omitting to record the payment.
Omitting to wash your hands can spread germs.
Word forms
| base form | omit |
|---|---|
| third person singular | omits |
| past tense | omitted |
| past participle | omitted |
| -ing form | omitting |
Common combinations
- omitting details
- Omitting details can make a story unclear.
- omitting the word
- Omitting the word not changes the whole meaning.
- deliberately omitting
- He was deliberately omitting the bad news.
- omitting information
- Omitting information on a form may lead to delays.
- omitting from the list
- They were omitting his name from the list by mistake.
Synonyms and how they differ
- leaving out
- Leaving out is the everyday phrase for the same action, and omitting is more formal.
- excluding
- Excluding suggests keeping something out on purpose and often applies to people or groups, which is stronger than omitting.
- skipping
- Skipping means passing over a step or part in order to go faster, and sounds casual.
- neglecting
- Neglecting stresses failing to give needed care or attention, whereas omitting simply means not including.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: omitting or emitting?
omitting vs emitting
Emitting means giving off light, sound, or gas. It looks and sounds like omitting but has an opposite direction: sending out, not leaving out.
Practice
The writer saved space by ___ unnecessary words from every sentence.
Choose one answer.
Omitting means leaving out, which fits saving space by dropping words. Admitting and submitting are different verbs, and emitting means giving off.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “omitting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.