lapses

USAGE SUMMARY

"lapses" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun and it means an unintentional failure to do something. You can use it when you want to describe a situation where someone has made a mistake or has forgotten to do something. For example: "The worker failed to complete the report on time due to a lapse in concentration".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But experts warned against any premature declaration of victory, with the militants still proving capable of carrying out deadly hit-and-run strikes and indications of coalition lapses.

The Guardian

The defense and goalkeeper Luis Robles have been stellar, matching the team record for shutouts in a season, even though their momentary lapses have been comical.

The Guardian - Sport

True to recent pattern, the Revs created a plethora of chances, failed to finish most of them, and had a couple of defensive lapses.

The Guardian - Sport

Pierson stepped down a month after two high-profile security lapses, in which an unknown man with a knife made it into the White House and an armed private guard was allowed onto an elevator with the president.

The Guardian

McConnell won because he's got a familiar name, a lot of money and the kind of political clout that makes up for occasional lapses from orthodoxy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Disciplinary lapses cost Dzagoev a regular place under Capello but an influential role in CSKA Moscow's championship success last season, plus the injury that ruled out the captain, Roman Shirokov, offered a reprieve.

The Guardian - Sport

Blair's office did not respond to a query about how the west could promote democracy without criticising lapses in democratic values.

The Guardian

Doug Black, medical director for NHS England in Nottinghamshire, appealed for all those treated by D'Mello over more than three decades to contact health services, because "none of us could be assured that these apparent lapses in practice were only limited to the days on which the covert filming was taken".

The Guardian

But I have seen enough of Bell to know his progress has been blighted not by technical failings but by lapses in concentration.

The Guardian - Sport

For the Telegraph to sling mud rather than address these claims of serious ethical lapses is a grave error of judgment.

The Guardian

Recalling released prisoners only for serious breaches of their licences rather than technical lapses, as happens now.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing professional conduct, use "lapses" to denote unintentional deviations from expected standards. For instance, "ethical lapses" is more appropriate than "intentional misconduct" when referring to accidental mistakes.

Common error

Avoid using "lapses" when describing deliberate or malicious actions. The term implies unintentional failures; use words like "breaches" or "violations" when intentional wrongdoing is involved.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lapses" is as a plural noun. It refers to instances of temporarily falling from a previous standard. According to Ludwig, it is used to describe unintentional failures. The provided examples confirm its use in various contexts, often related to errors or deviations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lapses" is a versatile plural noun used to describe unintentional failures or temporary deviations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. When writing, remember that "lapses" implies unintentionality, distinguishing it from terms like "violations" or "breaches" which suggest deliberate actions. Use alternatives like "oversights" or "slips" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Be mindful of using this word to ensure you are communicating temporary or unintentional shortcomings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

momentary lapses in judgment

Specifically refers to failures in decision-making.

occasional slips

Highlights the accidental nature of the errors.

temporary failures

Focuses on the temporary nature of the failures, rather than the unintentional aspect.

fleeting oversights

Underscores the quick and unintentional nature of the omissions.

brief deviations

Emphasizes the short-term departure from a standard or expected behavior.

intermittent failings

Stresses that the failures are not continuous, but occur from time to time.

transient errors

Uses more formal language to describe short-lived mistakes.

shortcomings

Refers to failures that are typically of a personal or moral nature.

irregularities

Suggests errors in process or procedure, potentially indicating a more systemic issue.

breaks in routine

Highlights an instance that departs from normal procedure.

FAQs

How can I use "lapses" in a sentence?

You can use "lapses" to describe unintentional failures or temporary deviations from a standard. For example, "The project suffered due to several "momentary lapses" in concentration".

What's a good alternative to using "lapses"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "oversights", "slips", or "errors".

Which is more appropriate: "lapses" or "mistakes"?

"Lapses" often implies a temporary or unintentional failure, while "mistakes" can refer to a broader range of errors, both intentional and unintentional. Use "lapses" when emphasizing the temporary nature of the failure.

What are some examples of common "lapses"?

Common "lapses" include "memory lapses", "security lapses", and "ethical lapses". Each of these refers to a specific type of unintentional failure.