lapse in concentration

USAGE SUMMARY

"lapse in concentration" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a momentary lack of focus or attention. For example: "She made a slight lapse in concentration, momentarily forgetting what she was saying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then Koscielny punished a lapse in concentration.

Independent

England get away with their lapse in concentration.

The Guardian - Sport

"That little lapse in concentration ultimately cost us the match".

The Guardian - Sport

Or, he may suffer a lapse in concentration during a game leading to a fatal mistake.

The New York Times

"It wasn't a technical error, it wasn't a lapse in concentration".

The Guardian - Sport

Sensing this lapse in concentration, the ibis flexed its backwards knees and flapped into the air.

The Guardian

One more lapse in concentration spelt disaster for the home side.

The Guardian - Sport

Furious with his lapse in concentration, Roddick slammed his racket on the court.

The New York Times - Sports

One of those errors might be written off as another careless lapse in concentration.

The Guardian - Sport

A lapse in concentration, as so often with lower-league sides, then cost them.

The Guardian - Sport

They have players who, if you lapse in concentration, will go very quickly to the point of weakness.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lapse in concentration" to highlight a singular, isolated event rather than a chronic condition. For ongoing issues, consider terms like 'attention deficit' or 'difficulty focusing'.

Common error

While "lapse in concentration" is appropriate, overuse can make your writing monotonous. Vary your language with synonyms like "momentary distraction" or "fleeting inattention" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lapse in concentration" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a temporary state or event. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is perfectly valid in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lapse in concentration" is a widely recognized and grammatically sound phrase that describes a brief, temporary loss of focus. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is valid and frequently used in written English. The phrase appears most often in news and media contexts, and it is used to explain the reasons behind errors or failures. While synonyms such as "momentary distraction" and "fleeting inattention" exist, varying your language can add nuance to your writing. When using "lapse in concentration", connect it clearly to its consequences to highlight its impact. Remember to specify if you are referring to a short-lived episode or a general difficulty in focusing and adjust your word-choice accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief loss of focus

Highlights the temporary loss of the ability to concentrate.

momentary distraction

Focuses on the brief nature of the disruption.

fleeting inattention

Emphasizes the temporary lack of attention.

short attention slip

Implies a mistake in maintaining focus.

mental slip-up

Indicates a small error in mental function.

moment of absentmindedness

Suggests a state of being lost in thought.

wandering mind

Highlights the mind straying from the task at hand.

temporary lack of vigilance

Indicates a short-term reduction in watchfulness.

cognitive blip

Uses technical language to describe a brief mental interruption.

period of reduced awareness

Focuses on the decreased state of consciousness.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "lapse in concentration" in a sentence?

To use "lapse in concentration" effectively, clearly connect it to the resulting action or consequence. For example, "The error occurred due to a brief "lapse in concentration"." This establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

What are some alternatives to "lapse in concentration"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "momentary distraction", "fleeting inattention", or "brief loss of focus".

Is there a difference between "lapse in concentration" and "lack of concentration"?

"Lapse in concentration" refers to a temporary, short-lived instance of reduced focus, while "lack of concentration" implies a more general or ongoing difficulty with maintaining focus.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the term "lapse in concentration"?

It's best used in situations where a normally attentive person experiences a brief episode of distraction, leading to a mistake or missed opportunity. This could be in sports, academics, or professional settings.