lapse of concentration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lapse of concentration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a temporary failure to focus or pay attention, often leading to mistakes or errors. Example: "During the exam, a lapse of concentration caused her to misread the question and answer incorrectly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

It had an undistinguished ending, the product of overconfidence or a lapse of concentration.

The Guardian - Sport

David Hussey could have been forgiven a lapse of concentration on his return to Nottinghamshire's championship side.

The Guardian - Sport

A lapse of concentration saw Hamilton plough into the back of Raikkonen and they were both out on the spot.

The Guardian - Sport

Another lapse of concentration on the next hole resulted in a three-putt from about 12 feet for a bogey.

The New York Times

There are days where we still have that lapse of concentration and you still think: 'no, I can't do that'".

The Guardian

Just as against City recently, a second-half revival went undone at the last by a lapse of concentration.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Lapses of concentration are music to Chicago Fire's ears of course.

The Guardian - Sport

Quick, sharp turns, the young, lissome trees forgiving any lapses of concentration.

The Guardian - Travel

Always hard to judge yourself but I suppose I sometimes suffer from lapses of concentration.

The Guardian - Tech

Now let's continue to score goals and get these lapses of concentration from our game".

The Guardian - Sport

But they are impervious to fatigue, emotional problems & lapses of concentration.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lapse of concentration", clearly indicate the consequence or result of this lapse to provide context and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "lapse of concentration" for minor, inconsequential errors. Reserve it for situations where the lack of focus has a noticeable impact or consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lapse of concentration" functions as a noun phrase typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it's correct and usable in written English. It describes a temporary failure to maintain focus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lapse of concentration" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to a temporary failure to maintain focus, frequently cited in News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide context on the result of this lapse. Alternatives include "momentary distraction" or "brief loss of focus". Avoid using the term for trivial mistakes, reserving it for instances where the loss of focus has a tangible impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

momentary distraction

Focuses on the brief nature of the interruption in attention.

fleeting inattention

Highlights the transient lack of attention.

brief loss of focus

Emphasizes the temporary nature of losing focus.

moment of carelessness

Suggests a lack of carefulness led to the error.

temporary oversight

Indicates a temporary failure to notice something important.

lack of vigilance

Highlights the absence of watchfulness.

mental slip

Implies a brief and unintentional error in thought.

failure to pay attention

Directly states the lack of attentiveness.

wandering mind

Suggests the mind drifted away from the task at hand.

inadvertent mistake

Highlights the unintentional nature of the error.

FAQs

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

You can use "lapse of concentration" to describe a momentary failure to focus that leads to a mistake. For example, "A "lapse of concentration" caused him to miss the crucial detail in the contract."

What are some alternatives to "lapse of concentration"?

Alternatives include "momentary distraction", "fleeting inattention", or "brief loss of focus", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "laps of concentration" instead of "lapse of concentration"?

No, "laps of concentration" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "lapse of concentration", where "lapse" is a singular noun indicating a temporary failure.

What's the difference between "lapse of concentration" and "lack of concentration"?

"Lapse of concentration" refers to a momentary or temporary failure to focus, while "lack of concentration" implies a more general or persistent inability to concentrate.