lapse in service

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lapse in service" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a temporary interruption or failure in the provision of a service. Example: "Due to a lapse in service, customers may experience delays in their orders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The commission will decide at a hearing if they will be fined $100,000 for each lapse in service.

The New York Times

We hope you will accept our apologies for the lapse in service in this instance, and our assurance that an incident of this kind is most likely to recur.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

That means a bus boy clearing only half of the dirty dishes before rushing off to another table, occasional lapses in service, the presentation of one dessert menu for four diners, the white meat in the chicken scapparella being overcooked, dishes that sometimes arrive lukewarm or servings of bread or fried zucchini sticks that are ever so slightly burned.

The New York Times

And when clients - students, parents and alumni begin to get pissed with the product - these same leaders have to answer for defections in managerial talent, lapses in service, and gaps in innovation; searching to find answers from the bottom up.

Huffington Post

He introduced a bill signed into law that allows FERS employees to buy back credit from a lapse in federal service toward annuity payments, with the goal of attracting individuals from the private sector back to public service.

Wikipedia

The lapse in BlackBerry service is another embarrassment for a company that has long emphasized reliability and security as selling points for its premium-priced variety of wireless e-mail.

The New York Times - Tech

The developments came after Republicans and Democrats spent the day blaming each other for what could have been the first lapse in government services brought on by Congress in 15 years.

The New York Times

For Sprint, getting a head start on introducing 4G may be its best and last chance to repair its position in the market, which has been eroded by the company's disastrous merger with Nextel and its lapses in customer service.

The New York Times - Tech

Perhaps you were already aware of the need to improve delivery times, but you learn about some lapses in customer service you never knew about.

Huffington Post

In federal courts, a civilian lawyer argued that the military's jurisdiction over Hennis lapsed as a result of a "break in service" that occurred between the murders and Hennis's retirement, questioning the legitimacy of the entire court-martial.

The New Yorker

Much of the public disgust stems from lapses in visible public service areas like health, transportation, education, farming and policing, and Mr. Blair has had his campaign days interrupted by personal rebukes from individuals with unhappy personal experiences and by audiences jeering his promises of coming improvements.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lapse in service", clarify the duration and impact of the interruption to provide context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "lapse in service" in casual contexts. Simpler phrases like "service interruption" or "service down" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lapse in service" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a temporary failure or interruption in the delivery of a service. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lapse in service" refers to a temporary failure or interruption in service delivery. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, though relatively uncommon. It functions as a noun phrase, often used in formal or professional contexts to explain service interruptions. While alternatives like "service interruption" or "service outage" exist, "lapse in service" carries a slightly more formal tone. When using the phrase, it's helpful to specify the duration and impact of the interruption. Overall, the phrase is appropriate when a neutral to formal tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Service interruption

Focuses directly on the act of stopping a service, rather than a failure to maintain it.

Service outage

Suggests a complete and possibly unexpected cessation of service.

Service disruption

Emphasizes disturbance to service delivery, suggesting inconvenience.

Breakdown in service

Implies a failure within the service system itself.

Failure of service

Highlights the ineffectiveness or non-performance of a service.

Interruption in service

A more formal way of saying something has stopped working.

Temporary suspension of service

Highlights the temporary nature of the service halt.

Service unavailability

Focuses on service being not accessible or obtainable.

Service deficiency

Points to an inadequacy or lack in the service provided.

Gap in service

Implies a missing element or period in service delivery.

FAQs

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

You can use "lapse in service" to describe a temporary failure or interruption in the delivery of a service. For example, "The company apologized for the "lapse in service" during the power outage".

What are some alternatives to "lapse in service"?

Alternatives include "service interruption", "service outage", or "service disruption". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "lapse in service" formal or informal?

"Lapse in service" is generally considered a more formal phrase. In informal contexts, simpler terms like "service down" might be preferable.

What is the difference between "lapse in service" and "break in service"?

While similar, ""lapse in service"" typically refers to a temporary failure or interruption, whereas "break in service" can also refer to a permanent cessation or a deliberate pause.