lapse of

USAGE SUMMARY

"lapse of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a period of time passing or a mistake or error occurring. Example sentence: "After a brief lapse of concentration, she realized she had made a spelling mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

This lapse of memory pained him.

The New Yorker

This is a sparkling lapse of logic.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a rare lapse of attention.

The Guardian - Books

But the long lapse of time was hard to bridge.

The New York Times

Enjoy your lapse of judgment here today at our store.

The Guardian - Opinion

Any temporary measures will eventually need to lapse, of course.

The New York Times

And the lapse of taste doesn't stop there.

Independent

"They were so focused on the lapse of insurance.

The New York Times

"It was a lapse of judgment," Catalano said while crying.

The New York Times - Sports

If there is just one lapse of security, it harms everybody".

The New York Times

The Barcelona goal was the Inter's defence's only serious lapse of the night.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the end of a treaty or law use the verb "lapse" as an intransitive one, for example "the treaty lapsed".

Common error

Avoid confusing "lapse of" with phrases like "lap up" or "laps around". "Lapse of" refers to a temporary break or error, while the other phrases have entirely different meanings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lapse of" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjectival modifier to describe the type or nature of a noun, such as in phrases like "lapse of memory" or "lapse of judgment". As Ludwig AI explains, it's commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lapse of" is a versatile prepositional phrase that signifies a temporary break, error, or passing of time. It's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is useful for describing temporary deviations, interruptions, or errors. While related phrases like "period of inactivity" or "momentary slip" can be used, "lapse of" provides a specific nuance that is often most appropriate. Therefore, it's crucial to use "lapse of" when aiming to convey a brief suspension or error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

momentary slip

Highlights the brief and unintentional nature of the mistake.

fleeting error

Highlights the short and insignificant nature of the mistake.

brief interruption

Emphasizes the temporary halt in an activity or process.

temporary suspension

Stresses the non-permanent cessation of something.

period of inactivity

Focuses on the duration of being inactive rather than the cause or consequence of it.

gap in

Emphasizes a break or discontinuity.

short absence

Focuses on the temporary lack of presence or availability.

passing phase

Indicates a transient period or stage.

interim period

Denotes the time between two events or points.

failure of

Highlights the lack of success or effectiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "lapse of" to describe a temporary break, error, or period. For example: "The project suffered from a "lapse of funding"" or "It was a "lapse of judgment"".

What are some alternatives to "lapse of"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "period of inactivity", "momentary slip", or "brief interruption", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "lapse of" and "lapsing of"?

"Lapse of" is typically used to describe a temporary break or error, while "lapsing of" refers to the process of something expiring or coming to an end.

Is it correct to say "a lapse in judgment" instead of "a lapse of judgment"?

While "a lapse in judgment" might be understood, "a "lapse of judgment"" is the more common and grammatically standard phrasing.