room for complacency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "room for complacency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is a lack of urgency or motivation to improve, often in a context where one should be striving for better results. Example: "Despite the team's recent successes, there is no room for complacency if we want to maintain our competitive edge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's no room for complacency.

Independent

But France has no room for complacency.

The Economist

But there is little room for complacency.

The New York Times

Yet, there is little room for complacency.

Nature

However, there was no room for complacency.

Harvard Business Review

But there's no room for complacency.

The Guardian

But there can never be any room for complacency.

The Guardian

"But there is no room for complacency," he added.

The Times

"But there's no room for complacency by either of them".

The New York Times

Conway, unsparingly, allows us no room for complacency.

The Guardian - Music

At the same time, there is little room for complacency.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "room for complacency", consider pairing it with a specific action or area that requires continued attention. For example, "There's no "room for complacency" in cybersecurity; constant vigilance is essential."

Common error

Avoid using "room for complacency" when the situation clearly warrants celebration or satisfaction. The phrase implies an ongoing need for improvement, not a dismissal of achievements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "room for complacency" functions as a warning or caution against becoming too self-satisfied or relaxed in a situation where continued effort and vigilance are required. It often introduces a counterpoint to a seemingly positive development, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "room for complacency" serves as a reminder against self-satisfaction, urging continued effort and vigilance. It is grammatically correct and very common, according to Ludwig, fitting seamlessly into news reports, business communications, and academic discussions. While other phrases like "no cause for satisfaction" exist, "room for complacency" is particularly effective in prompting proactive behavior across many scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid becoming complacent

Directly advises against becoming too comfortable with the current situation.

no cause for satisfaction

Focuses on the lack of reasons to be pleased with the current state.

no grounds for smugness

Highlights the inappropriateness of self-satisfaction or arrogance.

no scope for self-satisfaction

Emphasizes the lack of opportunity for feeling content with one's achievements.

no space for relaxation

Underscores the absence of time or opportunity to reduce effort.

no allowance for ease

Highlights the need for constant effort, disallowing any reduction in vigilance.

cannot afford to be lax

Stresses the importance of maintaining strictness and vigilance.

must remain vigilant

Highlights the necessity of staying watchful and alert.

cannot rest on laurels

Focuses on the need to continue striving rather than relying on past achievements.

stay alert and proactive

Emphasizes the importance of being both watchful and taking initiative.

FAQs

How can I use "room for complacency" in a sentence?

The phrase "room for complacency" is typically used to warn against becoming too relaxed or self-satisfied with a current situation. For example, "Despite the project's initial success, there's no "room for complacency" if we want to achieve long-term goals."

What does "room for complacency" mean?

It means there is no justification for being satisfied with the current situation, and continued effort is necessary to avoid negative consequences.

What can I say instead of "room for complacency"?

You can use alternatives like "no cause for satisfaction", "must remain vigilant", or "avoid becoming complacent" depending on the context.

Is "room for complacency" a commonly used phrase?

Yes, according to Ludwig, "room for complacency" is a very common phrase and indicates that there is a lack of urgency to improve.