a clear lack of

USAGE SUMMARY

'a clear lack of' is a valid phrase in written English.
It is a way to express that there is a distinct lack of something, e.g. "There was a clear lack of enthusiasm in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This demonstrates a clear lack of understanding about science.

The Guardian

Mr. Paulson, by contrast, has projected a clear lack of interest in party politics.

The New York Times

"This action demonstrates a clear lack of will on the employers' part to reach an agreement".

The New York Times

"There has been a clear lack of strategy on the Brazilian side".

The New York Times

There is a clear lack of understanding of why various kinds of lipid aggregates can form on graphene.

Carbon

In this context, there is a clear lack of subject-specific focus within the current generation of language management systems.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

There exists a clear lack of translational models that have been used to study female-specific risk.

Physiology & Behavior

There is a clear lack of a standard model that can be used to represent the ETL scenarios.

Journal of King Saud University - Computer and Information Sciences

There is also a clear lack of local knowledge on the part of those dealing with intelligence.

The Guardian

However, despite a clear lack of milkshake, my nipples continuously bring all the boys to the yard.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On top of that, he's exhibiting a clear lack of respect, and not taking the game seriously.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a clear lack of", ensure the subject of the sentence clearly identifies what is missing. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a clear lack of" without properly establishing the underlying reasons. State explicitly why the deficiency exists to prevent ambiguity and strengthen your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear lack of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to express a deficiency or absence. Ludwig shows its prevalent use in highlighting shortcomings or indicating insufficiencies across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clear lack of" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize deficiencies or absences across numerous contexts. Ludwig confirms it is grammatically sound and widely employed in news, science, and business. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, tailoring your vocabulary to the specific context can enhance your message's impact. Related phrases include "noticeable absence of", "distinct shortage of", and "marked deficiency in", offering nuanced ways to express similar meanings. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively incorporate "a clear lack of" into your writing to highlight shortcomings and draw attention to areas needing improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A noticeable absence of

Emphasizes the visibility or ease of noticing the absence.

A significant absence of

Emphasizes the importance of what is missing.

A distinct shortage of

Focuses on the insufficiency of something required.

A marked deficiency in

Highlights the inadequacy or imperfection in a particular aspect.

An obvious absence of

Emphasizes the obviousness of the absence

A glaring inadequacy of

Stresses how obvious and unacceptable the inadequacy is.

A considerable deficit of

Indicates a substantial amount is missing or insufficient.

A manifest scarcity of

Emphasizes that the scarcity is evident and undeniable.

A palpable dearth of

Implies the lack is so strong it can almost be felt.

A serious want of

Indicates a grave need or absence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a clear lack of" in a sentence?

You can use "a clear lack of" to highlight a deficiency or absence. For example, "There is "a clear lack of" funding for this project."

What are some alternatives to saying "a clear lack of"?

Alternatives include "noticeable absence of", "distinct shortage of", or "marked deficiency in", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a clear lack of" or "lack of"?

"A clear lack of" emphasizes the obviousness or severity of the deficiency, while "lack of" is a more general statement. Choose based on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Can "a clear lack of" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "a clear lack of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider more sophisticated vocabulary for highly formal writing to enhance its impact.