a significant lapse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant lapse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a notable or important failure, mistake, or gap in performance, attention, or memory. Example: "The team experienced a significant lapse in communication, which led to the project's delay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"This combination of a significant lapse of supervision with the whole research issue was very, very powerful," he said.

The New York Times

Mr. Mueller has acknowledged that the failure of his agency to fully evaluate the Phoenix memorandum was a significant lapse.

The New York Times

This is a significant lapse, given how hefty the incentive awards of stock or options can be.

The New York Times

In other words, every tourist who visits the city drives past a territory that is barely within the state's control, creating a significant lapse in its security strategy and an ever-present thorn in its side.

The Guardian - Opinion

In America, speaking on the steps of Houston's federal court, defence lawyer Reid Figel couched his clients' crime in modest language, describing it merely as a "significant lapse in judgment".

The Guardian - Business

The speechmaking, a significant lapse on Carnegie's part, may have left some with the impression that this was an elaborate photo opportunity for paternalistic musicians who would shortly go back to business as usual.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

A single significant lapse in this area can be your dominant impression of an entire meal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The affair soured, one of the women sued the surgeon, and although the suit was settled out of court, the state moved in, disciplining him for both the impropriety of conducting a sexual relationship with a patient, and the significant lapse in judgment evidenced by his casual approach to the surgery.

The New York Times - Health

That the code was unprotected constitutes a significant security lapse by Diebold, said Aviel D. Rubin, an associate professor of computer science at Johns Hopkins, co-author of the study of the code.

The New York Times

The NHS body charged with safeguarding confidential health data has announced a rolling programme of spot checks on companies, charities, universities and government bodies that have received medical records after an investigation uncovered "significant lapses" in protecting patient confidentiality.

The Guardian

They also confront some significant lapses, including the killing of two suspects in a 1984 bus hijacking that led to the resignation of Shin Bet director Avraham Shalom and threatened to bring down the government of Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant lapse", ensure the context clearly indicates what area or process experienced the failure or gap. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant lapse" for minor issues. Reserve it for situations where the failure or gap has a noticeable and important impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant lapse" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific instance of failure or omission, emphasizing its importance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant lapse" is a noun phrase used to denote a notable failure or omission. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable in English. Its usage is most common in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context makes the nature of the failure clear to avoid ambiguity. While it is an accepted expression, consider alternatives such as "a major oversight" or "a serious failing" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major oversight

Emphasizes the aspect of neglect or failure to notice something important.

a serious failing

Highlights the severity of the mistake or deficiency.

a critical error

Focuses on the error's potential to cause significant problems or damage.

a notable deficiency

Points out the lack of something essential or expected.

a marked inadequacy

Emphasizes the insufficient nature of something.

a substantial omission

Highlights the act of leaving something important out.

a considerable neglect

Focuses on the lack of proper care or attention.

a glaring mistake

Highlights how obvious or easily noticeable the error is.

a regrettable slip

Indicates that the error is a source of disappointment or sorrow.

a costly blunder

Focuses on the negative consequences or expense resulting from the error.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant lapse" in a sentence?

Use "a significant lapse" to describe a notable failure or gap. For example: "There was "a significant lapse" in security that allowed the attacker to gain access."

What are some alternatives to "a significant lapse"?

You can use alternatives like "a major oversight", "a serious failing", or "a critical error" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a significant lapse" or "significant lapse"?

Both can be correct depending on the context. "A significant lapse" is used when referring to a specific instance, while "significant lapses" (plural) refers to multiple instances of failure.

What's the difference between "a significant lapse" and "a minor oversight"?

"A significant lapse" suggests a more serious failure with potentially greater consequences, while "a minor oversight" implies a less consequential error.