a lapse of memory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a lapse of memory' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to an instance when one forgets something. For example, "I can't remember my sister's birthday - it must be a lapse of memory".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I became well used to her beautiful smile breaking over a lapse of memory or idiosyncrasy.

The Guardian - Opinion

And I was in front and then I had a lapse of memory.

The Guardian - Sport

He said he had not deliberately lied, but it was a "lapse of memory".

Independent

That night, having played the first half of the D minor partita's Allemande, Ibragimova not so much suffered a lapse of memory as, perhaps, took a wrong turning in the complicated labyrinth of Bach's writing.

The Guardian - Opinion

The best that can be said of the A.U. leaders' decision to approve this plan four years ago is that at the time they suffered a lapse of memory.

The New York Times

Mr Harris said he had a "lapse of memory" but had not deliberately lied.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

That borders on the silly and, at a minimum, shows a lapse of historical memory.

Huffington Post

He did no wrong but was dismissed because Mr Blair either (a) misinterpreted a genuine lapse of memory as an attempt to mislead or (b) panicked at the adverse publicity generated by an innocent man's convolutions.

The Economist

It's not exactly a self-help book, but you sense that the material has been groomed to intersect with self-dramatizing aging baby boomers, who "are grumbling in record numbers about their increasing propensity for forgetting" and who sometimes make a distressingly facile leap from a momentary lapse of memory to fears of a serious neurological disorder.

The New York Times - Books

I have to confess to a dreadful lapse of memory and judgement.

The Guardian

Meyer had a similar lapse of memory in the June 1 episode of the HBO show, when she forgot the "3 R's" of her plan on immigration reform.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain clarity by specifying what information was forgotten after mentioning "a lapse of memory" to avoid vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "a lapse of memory" to describe significant or persistent memory problems. This phrase implies a temporary, minor issue, not conditions like amnesia or dementia.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lapse of memory" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a temporary failure to recall information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes an instance when one forgets something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lapse of memory" is a noun phrase used to describe a temporary failure to remember something. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in diverse contexts, including news, wiki, and science, as supported by Ludwig examples. When writing, remember that this phrase is best used for minor and transient memory issues, and should not be confused with more serious conditions like amnesia. Semantically related alternatives include "a memory lapse" or "a momentary forgetting".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a memory lapse

This alternative is more concise and omits the article 'of', while retaining the core meaning.

a temporary amnesia

This alternative implies a more clinical, but still transient, loss of memory.

a momentary forgetting

This alternative emphasizes the brief duration of the memory problem, focusing on the act of forgetting.

a brief memory loss

This alternative directly states a reduction in memory function, specifying its short duration.

a fleeting memory block

This alternative uses 'block' to suggest an obstruction in recalling information, highlighting its transient nature.

a short-term memory deficit

This alternative presents a more technical term for a temporary impairment of short-term memory.

a cognitive slip

This alternative broadens the scope to a general cognitive error, which includes memory but is not limited to it.

a mental blank

This alternative provides a more informal and figurative way to describe the sudden absence of thought or memory.

a failure to recall

This alternative focuses on the inability to bring something back into memory, describing the process rather than the state.

a moment of absentmindedness

This alternative shifts the focus to the state of being distracted and forgetful, rather than a specific memory failure.

FAQs

How can I use "a lapse of memory" in a sentence?

You can use "a lapse of memory" to describe a temporary instance of forgetting something, as in "I forgot her name, it was just "a lapse of memory"".

What's the difference between "a lapse of memory" and "amnesia"?

"A lapse of memory" refers to a minor, temporary instance of forgetting, while "amnesia" indicates a more severe and persistent form of memory loss.

What are some common causes of "a lapse of memory"?

Common causes for "a lapse of memory" can include stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, or simply not paying attention.

What can I say instead of "a lapse of memory"?

You could use phrases like "a memory lapse", "a temporary amnesia", or "a momentary forgetting" depending on the specific context.