omettre

Omettre is a French verb meaning to omit, leave out, or neglect to mention or consider something. It can refer to information, details, steps, or actions that are not included in a text, statement, or plan. It is a transitive verb and is commonly used with a direct object (omettre quelque chose) or with de + infinitive to indicate neglecting to do something (omettre de faire quelque chose).

Etymology and usage context: Omettre comes from Latin omittere, meaning to let go or to send away, through Old and Middle French forms such as omettre. It is contrasted with oublier (to forget) and often conveys an emphasis on omission rather than mere forgetting. The noun form is omission.

Conjugation overview: Omettre is conjugated like other -mettre verbs with the base omett-. Common forms include: Present: je omets, tu omets, il omet, nous omettons, vous omettez, ils omettent. Imperfect: j'omettais, tu omettais, il omettait, nous omettions, vous omettiez, ils omettaient. Passé composé: j'ai omis, tu as omis, il a omis, nous avons omis, vous avez omis, ils ont omis. Future: j'ometterai, tu ometteras, il omettra, nous omettrons, vous omettrez, ils omettront. Subjunctive présent: que j'omette, que tu omettes, qu'il omette, que nous omettions, que vous omettiez, qu'ils omettent. Present participle: omettant. Past participle: omis.

Usage notes and examples: Omettre is common in formal or technical writing, journalism, and legal or administrative language when enumerating data or details. Examples: “Le rapport omet plusieurs faits importants.” “Il a omis de mentionner son adresse.” It is often used to signal a deliberate or accidental exclusion rather than a simple lapse in memory.

Related terms: omission (noun), négliger, passer sous silence, éluder.