a conspicuous absence of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a conspicuous absence of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a noticeable lack or deficiency of something in a particular context. Example: "In the report, there was a conspicuous absence of data regarding the project's environmental impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

There's also a conspicuous absence of stereotypes.

The Washington Post

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

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

The New Yorker

Remember when there was a conspicuous absence of southern candidates for the Republican nomination?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Amid the communal vibes, I couldn't not notice a conspicuous absence in Puerto Rico, that of Ben Best, a creator of Eastbound, who cowrote the first season and who plays Clegg, Kenny's drug-rug-wearing hometown buddy and head bartender at Shh-boom Shh-boom's.

Vice

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

Despite the recent physical tightness and the "conspicuous absence" of a long-predicted oversupply in the global LNG market, a period of structural or, at a minimum, seasonal surplus is still more likely than not in the next few years.

Columbia University

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

Consider alternative phrases such as "a noticeable lack of" or "a marked absence of" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "a conspicuous absence of" when a simple "absence of" suffices. "Conspicuous" implies that the absence is noticeable and significant. If the absence is not particularly striking, using a simpler phrasing like "absence of" or "lack of" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a conspicuous absence of" functions as a noun phrase modifier, highlighting a noticeable deficiency or lack. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct. The phrase sets the stage by emphasizing a particular missing element, preparing the reader for the implications of its absence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Unknown

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a conspicuous absence of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to highlight a noticeable lack or deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various writing styles. Its impact is most pronounced when emphasizing the significance of what is missing. While prevalent in news and scientific contexts, it's crucial to remember that the term "conspicuous" implies a striking absence; simpler phrasings may be more appropriate if the absence is not particularly remarkable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a noticeable lack of

Replaces "conspicuous absence" with "noticeable lack", emphasizing the ease of observation.

a marked absence of

Substitutes "conspicuous" with "marked", suggesting a distinct and easily observable absence.

a distinct lack of

Replaces "conspicuous absence" with "distinct lack", highlighting the clarity of the deficiency.

a clear absence of

Uses "clear" instead of "conspicuous", indicating an easily perceived absence.

a palpable absence of

Replaces "conspicuous" with "palpable", suggesting the absence is strongly felt or perceived.

an evident lack of

Substitutes "conspicuous absence" with "evident lack", highlighting the obviousness of the deficiency.

a glaring omission of

Uses "glaring omission" to indicate the absence is a noticeable oversight.

an obvious shortage of

Replaces "conspicuous absence" with "obvious shortage", focusing on the insufficiency.

a striking deficit of

Substitutes "conspicuous absence" with "striking deficit", emphasizing the deficiency is remarkable.

a remarkable deficiency of

Replaces "conspicuous absence" with "remarkable deficiency", highlighting the noteworthy lack.

FAQs

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

Use "a conspicuous absence of" to highlight a noticeable lack of something. For example: "There was "a conspicuous absence of" female speakers at the conference".

What are some alternatives to "a conspicuous absence of"?

You can use alternatives like "a noticeable lack of", "a marked absence of", or "a distinct lack of" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "conspicuous" in "a conspicuous absence of"?

Use "conspicuous" when the absence is particularly noticeable or striking. If the absence is not especially remarkable, a simpler phrase like "absence of" might be more suitable.

Is there a difference between "a conspicuous absence of" and "a lack of"?

"A conspicuous absence of" emphasizes that the lack is easily observed and important, while "a lack of" simply indicates that something is missing.