a conspicuous absence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a conspicuous absence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a noticeable lack of someone or something in a particular context or situation. Example: "During the meeting, there was a conspicuous absence of the project manager, which raised concerns among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

A conspicuous absence of cigarette butts.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's now a conspicuous absence of subtlety.

The New York Times

There was a conspicuous absence of anger & passion.

The New Yorker

But it's not that he's a commanding presence so much as a conspicuous absence.

The Guardian - Books

In his cabinet, there is a conspicuous absence of the political groups that helped him win.

The New Yorker

– Michael D. Shear The second hour of the debate began with a conspicuous absence — Mrs. Bachmann.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Matters is borrowing from itself, from columns in previous presidential years about this very same subject -- the conspicuous absence of an urban consciousness among presidential candidates.

The New York Times

A new look for the magazine was unveiled on Tuesday, with the conspicuous absence of a scantily dressed woman behind the technology headlines.

Independent

A week before, as a member of the Black Women's Roundtable, I was one of those who signed an open letter to Roger Goodell seeking a meeting to discuss the conspicuous absence of Black women from his newly announced Domestic Violence Advisory Panel.

Huffington Post

Quite a few were, though one conspicuous absence was 12-tone or even sharp angularity.

The New York Times - Arts

The conspicuous absence of a direct reference to the international court in Mr. Abbas's speech suggested that he was still reluctant to take that step.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a conspicuous absence" to highlight a lack that is both noticeable and significant. This phrase is effective when you want to draw attention to something important that is missing.

Common error

While "a conspicuous absence" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "noticeably missing" or "clearly absent" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a conspicuous absence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific instance where something or someone is noticeably missing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently employed in writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a conspicuous absence" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that serves to highlight a significant lack or omission. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's deemed correct and is well-suited for formal contexts such as news reporting, scientific writing, and encyclopedic entries. While versatile, it may sound overly formal in casual conversation where simpler alternatives like "noticeably missing" are preferred. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to draw attention to what is missing, implying importance or raising questions. It should be noted that while used across a spectrum of sources, its primary usage occurs within News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a noticeable lack

Focuses on the deficiency rather than the visibility of the absence.

a striking omission

Emphasizes the surprising or remarkable nature of the absence.

a glaring deficiency

Highlights the obviousness and severity of the lack.

a remarkable void

Emphasizes emptiness and significance of what's missing.

an evident shortage

Points to scarcity or insufficient amount of something.

a patent unavailability

Stresses that something is clearly and undeniably not available.

a palpable nonexistence

Focuses on the tangibility of the nonexistence; its being easily perceived.

a clear-cut deficiency

Points to deficiency which is easy to perceive and is beyond doubt.

a plain scarcity

Highlights that the resource is deficient

an obvious want

Highlights that a resource is not available and is desirable at the same time

FAQs

How can I use "a conspicuous absence" in a sentence?

You can use "a conspicuous absence" to point out something important that is noticeably missing. For example, "There was "a conspicuous absence" of female speakers at the conference".

What's a less formal way to say "a conspicuous absence"?

Less formal alternatives to "a conspicuous absence" include "noticeably missing", "clearly absent", or simply "missing", depending on the context.

How does "a conspicuous absence" differ from "a noticeable absence"?

"A conspicuous absence" implies that the absence is not only noticeable but also significant or unusual. "A "noticeable absence"" simply means that something is easy to see is missing, without necessarily implying importance.

What are some phrases similar to "a conspicuous absence"?

Similar phrases include "a striking omission", "a glaring deficiency", or "a remarkable void". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.