lack of vigilance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of vigilance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is not paying enough attention or is not being careful enough, often leading to negative consequences. Example: "The accident was attributed to a lack of vigilance on the part of the security personnel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Last fall, the Federal Reserve also singled out HSBC for lack of vigilance.

The New York Times

Users also have themselves to blame for a lack of vigilance.

The Economist

While some residents acknowledge their own lack of vigilance toward development, they cannot help seeing the slow erosion of Sandfly through the prism of race.

The New York Times

It has since been tracked all around the building, and even into my own bed, and not for lack of vigilance.

The Guardian - Music

He ascribed that scarcity more to the fact that agents were acting ethically than to any lack of vigilance by the board.

The New York Times

The lack of vigilance in screening for stolen passports is one of most disturbing lapses in an evolving international antiterrorism regime that remains frighteningly lax, Interpol officials say.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

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

A lack of public vigilance and an excess of special-interest zeal, he warned, were undermining the democratic process.

The New York Times

But if the dead and the families of the dead in Georgia have been victimized by criminal conduct, professional neglect and a lack of regulatory vigilance, the culture at large has likewise been too long willing, when it comes to cremation, to look the other way.

The New York Times

When he moves to a hut in the wilderness (a self-imposed exile that only feels desperate if you are unaware – as presumably Zoolander 2's scriptwriters are – of how hot log cabins are right now) he has a grey-streaked Ming the Merciless goatee that speaks, appropriately, of a complete lack of aesthetic vigilance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Failure to deactivate tags within store may be a function of either weaknesses in the system making deactivation problematic or lack of staff vigilance or training (Handford 1994).

Crime Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing security breaches or potential risks, clarify what specific measures were not taken due to the "lack of vigilance" to provide actionable insights.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of vigilance" as a generic explanation for failures. Instead, pinpoint the specific areas where attention faltered, such as 'delayed response times' or 'inadequate monitoring systems'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of vigilance" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the absence of attentiveness and caution, often highlighting a deficiency that leads to negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of vigilance" is a commonly used noun phrase that denotes the absence of attentiveness or caution. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability across a range of contexts. Primarily found in News & Media and Scientific sources, it serves to identify and often assign blame for negative consequences resulting from insufficient watchfulness. Related phrases include "insufficient alertness" and "inadequate attentiveness". When using this phrase, be sure to provide specific details about where the attention faltered, rather than using it as a generic explanation. In summary, understanding the subtle nuances of "lack of vigilance" can help writers craft clearer and more impactful narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient alertness

Replaces "vigilance" with "alertness", emphasizing a state of being not fully awake or attentive.

inadequate attentiveness

Uses "attentiveness" to highlight a deficiency in paying attention.

deficient oversight

Focuses on the absence of proper supervision or monitoring.

negligent monitoring

Highlights carelessness in observing or checking something.

lax surveillance

Indicates a relaxed or careless approach to keeping watch.

careless observation

Emphasizes a lack of carefulness in watching or noticing.

inattentive guarding

Focuses on the absence of attention in protecting or defending.

dereliction of watchfulness

Highlights a failure to be observant or cautious when one should be.

omission of caution

Focuses on the act of not being cautious.

insufficient heedfulness

Replaces "vigilance" with "heedfulness", focusing on insufficient consideration.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of vigilance" to describe a failure to pay sufficient attention or be cautious. For example, "The security breach was attributed to a "lack of vigilance" on the part of the monitoring team."

What are some alternatives to "lack of vigilance"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "insufficient alertness", "inadequate attentiveness", or "deficient oversight".

Is it correct to say "a lack of vigilance" or "lack of vigilance"?

Both are grammatically correct. Using "a" before "lack" emphasizes a single instance, while omitting it refers to the general state or quality.

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

"Lack of vigilance" refers to a failure to be watchful and alert, while "lack of diligence" implies a failure to apply consistent effort and care in carrying out a task. Vigilance is about being observant; diligence is about being thorough.