obvious lapses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obvious lapses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to clear or apparent mistakes or failures in a particular context, such as in a report or analysis. Example: "The audit revealed several obvious lapses in the company's financial reporting practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Udall said that those and less obvious lapses in testing protocol indicated that the helmet industry might require some level of governmental oversight.

The New York Times - Sports

But if fusion once served as a brave frontier for Mr. Corea, it has also been the source of his most obvious lapses in taste or restraint.

The New York Times - Arts

But the Liberal Party of Canada has been — on the whole, and with many obvious lapses in substance, point, and integrity — a truly liberal party.

The New Yorker

But the Liberal Party of Canada has been on the whole, and with many obvious lapses in substance, point, and integrity a truly liberal party.

The New Yorker

That happened because of some obvious lapses," he told the audience in Yola.

BBC

"There were some obvious lapses at the beginning, which was a true missed opportunity," Dr. Steve Morse, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University Medical Center told VICE News.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

These Republicans say that Mr. Rove's most obvious lapse of judgment and vigilance was a decision to meet three months ago with executives of Intel, a company in which he owned stock.

The New York Times

There have been no obvious concentration lapses this season — and, to Cano, no change in Girardi.

The New York Times - Sports

In an editorial, the Standard said the reports pointed to "obvious" security lapses.

Huffington Post

The danger in a play on this theme is obvious: of lapsing into therapist-as-villain melodrama.

The Guardian

The U.S. Federal Reserve is a prime offender, despite its obvious recent predictive lapses.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obvious lapses", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes a 'lapse' and why it is considered 'obvious' to the intended audience. Provide specific examples to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "obvious lapses" to describe minor or subjective issues. This can undermine your credibility and make your analysis seem less insightful. Instead, reserve the phrase for truly significant and easily verifiable errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obvious lapses" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "obvious" is an adjective modifying the noun "lapses". As per Ludwig, this phrase is used to describe easily noticeable or evident errors or failures.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obvious lapses" is a phrase used to describe easily noticeable errors or failures. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the lapses are truly evident and provide specific examples. Consider alternatives like "clear mistakes" or "evident shortcomings" for nuanced communication. The phrase maintains a neutral tone suitable for various professional and general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear mistakes

Emphasizes the clarity and unambiguous nature of the errors.

evident shortcomings

Highlights the noticeable deficiencies or inadequacies.

glaring errors

Focuses on the highly conspicuous and easily spotted mistakes.

noticeable failures

Stresses the failures that are easily observed or detected.

plain oversights

Indicates simple and easily detectable omissions or errors.

patent flaws

Highlights obvious and easily recognized imperfections or defects.

distinct blunders

Emphasizes the clear and distinguishable nature of the significant errors.

unmistakable slip-ups

Indicates errors that cannot be easily denied or overlooked.

conspicuous defects

Focuses on the highly visible and apparent imperfections.

palpable omissions

Highlights the easily felt or perceived instances of something being left out.

FAQs

How can I use "obvious lapses" in a sentence?

You can use "obvious lapses" to point out clear errors or failures. For example: "The report highlighted several "obvious lapses" in security protocol".

What are some alternatives to "obvious lapses"?

Alternatives include "clear mistakes", "evident shortcomings", or "glaring errors" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "very obvious lapses"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "very obvious lapses" can be redundant since 'obvious' already implies a high degree of clarity. Consider using just ""obvious lapses"" for conciseness.

What is the difference between "obvious lapses" and "minor oversights"?

"Obvious lapses" refer to significant and easily noticeable errors, while "minor oversights" are small, less important mistakes that are easily overlooked.