Meaning & use
lack of diligence
Last updated
Meaning
phraseuncountable
The failure to work hard or carefully enough; not putting in proper effort.
Grammar: Used as an uncountable noun phrase; it takes a singular verb: 'A lack of diligence leads to mistakes.'
Patterns
- lack of diligence in something
- show a lack of diligence
- due to a lack of diligence
The lawyer was criticized for a lack of diligence in preparing the case.
His lack of diligence caused him to miss important details.
The report showed a lack of diligence in following safety procedures.
Common combinations
- lack of diligence in
- There was a clear lack of diligence in checking the figures.
- show a lack of diligence
- The employee showed a lack of diligence by arriving late every day.
- accuse someone of a lack of diligence
- The manager accused him of a lack of diligence in his duties.
- due to a lack of diligence
- The error occurred due to a lack of diligence.
Synonyms and how they differ
- carelessness
- Carelessness emphasizes not paying enough attention; lack of diligence emphasizes not putting in enough effort.
- negligence
- Negligence is a legal term for failing to take proper care; lack of diligence is broader and less formal.
Opposites
Word family
- diligence noun
- Careful and continued effort in work.
- diligent adjective
- Working hard and carefully.
- diligently adverb
- In a hardworking and careful way.
Commonly confused: lack of diligence or lack of intelligence?
lack of diligence vs lack of intelligence
Lack of diligence is about not trying hard; lack of intelligence is about not being smart. They are different problems.
Practice
The accountant was fired for a ______ in handling the company's finances.
Choose one answer.
'Lack of diligence' means not working carefully enough, which fits the context of mishandling finances. 'Lack of intelligence' is about ability, not effort, and 'lack of coherence' is about ideas not connecting.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lack of diligence”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.