Oversee vs. overlook

[ann]

Common Errors in English, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #10 "Late at the Office", question 10

There was however one small matter that Mary had overseen the day she was early because the office was shut as it was Sunday.

(a) however
(b) matter
(c) overseen
(d) as

Common Errors in English, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #10 "Late at the Office", answer 10

There was however one small matter that Mary had overlooked the day she was early because the office was shut as it was Sunday.

Correct entry: overlooked
The error was: (c) overseen
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hi,

Please give me an idea about the difference between "oversee" and "overlook"

Thank,

Ann

[Alan]

Hi Ann,

Oversee is check or supervise as a manager would do of people's work.

Overlook is forget to check/supervise either with intention or accidentally.

A teacher could overlook a mistake in an essay in order not to discourage a student or because the mistake isn't serious. A teacher could also overlook a mistake by accident by not noticing it.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Phrasal Verbs/run