lack of alertness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of alertness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being inattentive or not fully aware, often in contexts related to safety, performance, or mental state. Example: "The driver’s lack of alertness contributed to the accident, as he failed to notice the stop sign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"[T]here are real dangers in presuming prejudice merely from a lack of alertness.

The New York Times

The official report attributed the crew's "lack of alertness" as the most plausible cause of the navigational error.

The New Yorker

The South's lack of alertness was precisely the reason why the North took chances in June 1950.

The New York Times

Regarding the railway sector, incident logs and simulation studies show that employee fatigue leads to lack of alertness, impaired performance, and occurrence of incidents.

Applied Ergonomics

A slow line change led to the Flyers' first goal, and a lack of alertness at the point led to the second, a long shot by Vandermeer through traffic.

The New York Times - Sports

Lack of alertness and reduced vigilance are related not only to sleep disruption and resulting sleep deficits, but also to cognitive workload, workload transition, the physical working environment, and the design of advanced control systems.

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

†Neurologic signs were abnormal behavior, lack of fear, reduced alertness, aimless wandering, circling, facial muscle twitching, progressive weakness of hind legs, and visual abnormalities.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The foxes exhibited abnormal behavior, lack of fear, reduced alertness, aimless wandering, circling, facial muscle twitching, hind limb paresis, and visual abnormalities.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Be alert of alertness.

WikiHow

They were escorted away by bouncers showing the sort of alertness Leeds' defence lacked.

The Guardian - Sport

Hypopituitary patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) complain of reduced vitality, general fatigue, lack of concentration, irritability and reduced alertness during daytime.

Psychoneuroendocrinology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing safety-critical situations, use "lack of alertness" to underscore the potential dangers associated with reduced awareness. For example: "The pilot's "lack of alertness" during the approach contributed to the near-miss incident."

Common error

While "lack of alertness" is generally acceptable, consider stronger, more precise terms like "negligence" or "dereliction of duty" in formal reports or legal documents if the context involves a failure to meet a required standard of care.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of alertness" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a state or condition. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it used to explain reasons behind incidents.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of alertness" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes a state of reduced awareness or inattentiveness. Ludwig confirms its validity. It often serves to explain the cause of incidents or to describe a person's condition in various contexts, spanning from news reports to scientific studies. While alternatives like "inattentiveness" or "reduced vigilance" may be more appropriate in certain formal settings, "lack of alertness" remains a versatile and widely understood expression for conveying a diminished state of awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of vigilance

Highlights the absence of watchfulness and readiness.

inattentiveness

Focuses on the absence of attention.

reduced vigilance

Highlights the diminished state of watchfulness.

decreased awareness

Emphasizes a reduction in conscious perception.

drowsiness

Emphasizes sleepiness as the cause of reduced alertness.

inattention

A more general term for lack of focus.

impaired focus

Highlights the reduced ability to concentrate.

lethargy

Conveys a state of sluggishness and reduced energy.

absence of mind

Indicates a state of forgetfulness and inattentiveness.

mental sluggishness

Points to a slowness in cognitive processing.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of alertness" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of alertness" to describe a state of being inattentive or not fully aware. For example: "The accident was attributed to the driver's "lack of alertness"." You could also say the driver showed "inattentiveness".

What are some alternatives to saying "lack of alertness"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "inattentiveness", "reduced vigilance", or "drowsiness".

Is it better to say "lack of alertness" or "inattentiveness"?

Both "lack of alertness" and "inattentiveness" are correct, but "inattentiveness" might be preferred in some formal contexts for its conciseness and directness. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "lack of alertness" and "lack of vigilance"?

"Lack of alertness" refers to a general state of reduced awareness, while "lack of vigilance" specifically implies a failure to be watchful or attentive to potential dangers or problems. Vigilance suggests a proactive readiness that alertness doesn't necessarily convey.