lack of decisiveness

USAGE SUMMARY

"lack of decisiveness" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a situation where someone is unable or unwilling to make a clear or definite decision. You can use this phrase in any sentence where you want to express the idea of someone being indecisive or hesitant. Here is an example: "His lack of decisiveness was causing delays and frustration among his team members, who were waiting for him to make a final decision on the project's budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"The impression is one of drift and diffuseness and a lack of decisiveness.

The New York Times - Science

Yet, equally paradoxically, the problem is not simply a lack of decisiveness.

The New York Times

But her perceived lack of decisiveness — or opportunism, some said — damaged her reputation, although she remains personally popular.

The New York Times

Robert Kagan of the Carnegie Endowment said the lack of decisiveness inevitably produced an unwillingess of other countries and actors to follow.

The New York Times

After meeting with Ms. Bartz, executives and employees, many of whom had grown tired of Yahoo's lack of decisiveness, were also favorably impressed.

The New York Times - Tech

"Senator Kerry has displayed a stunning lack of conviction and a stunning lack of decisiveness at every turn regarding the war on terror," Mr. Schmidt continued.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

A nine-point cushion at the top will not spare the league leaders from Baxter's wrath in the debrief, with the Exeter director of rugby unimpressed by both their error count and lack of attacking decisiveness.

The Guardian - Sport

Once the dust settles on the twin bomb blasts that have so far killed 74 and injured 70 in Kampala, Uganda, U.S. foreign policy in East Africa will inevitably be drawn into focus much more sharply than had been expected, highlighting the lack of diplomatic decisiveness previously been on display.

Forbes

"It was a bit frustrating because we lacked a bit of decisiveness and creativity.

BBC

"We very quickly ran into challenges with the different entities carrying out their responsibilities under that framework," said Garret Graves, the director of the governor's office of coastal activities, citing a lack of urgency and decisiveness by the Coast Guard.

The New York Times

The disappointment of Tottenham's midweek Champions League defeat by Monaco at Wembley cut deep, with Mauricio Pochettino particularly upset at what he saw as a lack of intensity and decisiveness.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing leadership, use "lack of decisiveness" to pinpoint how inaction or delayed decisions can undermine authority and strategic goals.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of decisiveness" when you actually mean someone is being thoughtful or carefully considering options before acting. Decisiveness doesn't always mean speed; it means making a choice, even after thorough deliberation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of decisiveness" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes the absence of the quality of being able to make decisions quickly and effectively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of decisiveness" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the absence of the ability to make prompt, effective decisions. As noted by Ludwig AI, it describes a situation where someone struggles to make clear choices. Found frequently in News & Media sources and Science, this noun phrase serves to critique inaction, as it can be used in various situations. To avoid misusing the term, ensure you're not simply describing thoughtful consideration. Synonyms like "indecisiveness" and "hesitation" offer nuanced alternatives. Use "lack of decisiveness" thoughtfully to pinpoint how delayed or absent decisions impact outcomes, particularly in leadership and strategic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indecisiveness

A direct synonym, referring to the inability to make decisions quickly and effectively.

hesitation

Implies a pause or delay before acting, often due to uncertainty.

irresolution

Indicates a lack of firmness or determination.

vacillation

Suggests wavering between different opinions or actions.

indetermination

Refers to the absence of a clear decision or resolution.

lack of resolution

Highlights the absence of a firm decision or course of action.

weakness of will

Focuses on the inability to stick to decisions or intentions.

wavering

Emphasizes the act of fluctuating or hesitating in decision-making.

procrastination

Suggests delaying or postponing decisions or actions.

ambivalence

Indicates having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of decisiveness" to describe a person, group, or organization's inability to make prompt and effective decisions. For example, "The project failed due to the team's lack of decisiveness".

What are some synonyms for "lack of decisiveness"?

Synonyms for "lack of decisiveness" include "indecisiveness", "hesitation", and "irresolution". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lack of decisiveness" or "indecisiveness"?

Both "lack of decisiveness" and "indecisiveness" are correct and largely interchangeable. However, "lack of decisiveness" may be preferred in more formal contexts, while "indecisiveness" is more commonly used in general conversation.

How does "lack of decisiveness" affect leadership?

"Lack of decisiveness" in leadership can lead to missed opportunities, stalled projects, and a general sense of uncertainty within a team. Effective leaders balance deliberation with the ability to make timely decisions.