notable lapse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "notable lapse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or important failure or oversight in a particular context, such as performance, judgment, or memory. Example: "The team's recent project was successful, but there was a notable lapse in communication that led to some misunderstandings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In one notable lapse, even after the agency reported problems to Fannie Mae in late 2010 about some of the approved law firms, it did not request a response from the company, the report said.

The New York Times

PopMatters, however, called the song part of the "mid-album slump", saying that "she reveals her proclivity for the same stomping, unsubtle beefiness of 'Womanizer', but there's a notable lapse in quality".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But violence has flared, and the local units have had notable lapses.

The New York Times

But it is true that foreign coverage of countries close to Russia has had some other notable lapses of late.

The Economist

They hired Jimmy Raye to smooth the offensive game-day operation, which had notable lapses in play calling and the use of timeouts last season.

The New York Times - Sports

With some notable lapses, this system is good at producing the tone of individual instruments (it draws from a giant bank of recorded samples), but the rich timbres and natural acoustic resonances are absent.

The New York Times - Arts

Safety is the primary concern, and United States regulations are shaped by a series of responses to incidents, including notable safety lapses and unethical trials.

Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations

It is notable that the lapse rates for all stimuli were exceptionally low, with no lapses made at all for the broadband 4- and 16-kHz conditions, thus indicating the highly attentive state of our subjects.

Behavioral Neuroscience

McPhee has now written, if you count two anthologies of excerpts from a variety of his work, an astonishing 29 books, while some of the most notable New Journalists lapsed into silence.

The New York Times - Books

This lapse of memory is notable, especially given the notoriety of the project, with its contextural innovations and its social problems.

The New York Times

A few lapses in plausibility notwithstanding, he displays notable efficiency and craftsmanship in this pursuit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "notable lapse" when you want to emphasize that a mistake or failure was particularly significant or stands out from other less important issues.

Common error

Avoid using "notable lapse" for trivial errors. Reserve it for situations where the mistake has significant consequences or implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "notable lapse" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "notable" modifies the noun "lapse". It identifies and characterizes a specific instance of failure or oversight. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "notable lapse" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant failure or oversight. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and Wikipedia. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally considered correct and suitable for formal or professional contexts. Related phrases include "significant error" and "major oversight", offering similar ways to convey the importance of the mistake. When writing, reserve "notable lapse" for situations where the error carries significant consequences, thus avoiding overuse in trivial contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant error

Focuses on the mistake's importance.

major oversight

Emphasizes the act of overlooking something important.

serious failing

Highlights a deficiency or inadequacy of considerable consequence.

conspicuous failure

Draws attention to the obvious and undeniable nature of the failure.

remarkable blunder

Underscores the unusual or striking nature of the mistake.

egregious mistake

Points out the shocking or outstanding badness of the error.

palpable slip-up

Indicates a mistake that is easily perceived or obvious.

pronounced deficiency

Focuses on the clear and distinct lack of something.

evident shortcoming

Highlights a readily apparent weakness or flaw.

clear dereliction

Emphasizes a conscious or negligent abandonment of duty.

FAQs

What does "notable lapse" mean?

A "notable lapse" refers to a significant or remarkable failure, error, or oversight. It implies that the mistake is important enough to be noticed or remembered.

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

You might say, "There was a "notable lapse" in security that allowed the intruder to enter the building." or "The project suffered a "notable lapse" in planning, leading to significant delays."

What are some alternatives to "notable lapse"?

Consider using "significant error", "major oversight", or "serious failing" as alternatives depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "notable lapse" or "minor mistake"?

The choice depends on the severity of the error. Use "notable lapse" when the error is substantial and consequential. Use "minor mistake" for insignificant errors.