a lack of expression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lack of expression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is not showing emotions or feelings, often in a context related to art, communication, or personal interactions. Example: "The actor's performance was criticized for a lack of expression, making it difficult for the audience to connect with the character."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What some critics find to be a lack of expression and character is, to others, refreshing restraint and elegance.

The New York Times - Arts

Traditional Korean American discipline is characterized by a lack of expression of affection and use of harsh discipline.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

Conventional PCR demonstrated a lack of expression of osteogenic marker genes and the hypertrophic marker gene type X collagen.

Biomaterials

This indicates a lack of expression of TVA in the absence of Cre, and minute RV transduction in the absence of TVA.

Nature

TNBC is characterized by a lack of expression for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).

Nature

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined by a lack of expression of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, and genetically most of them fall into the basal subgroup of breast cancer.

Stanford University

NIRG cells were distinguished from astrocytes by a lack of expression for Glial Fibrilliary Acidic Protein (GFAP).

Plosone

Control/empty vector stably transfected HEK293 cells demonstrate a lack of expression of either FPR or ALX receptor genes.

Plosone

Bone Alkaline Phosphatase (BAP) was highly expressed by DPSCs on both Biocoral and flask surfaces, while osteoblasts showed a lack of expression, when cultured on Biocoral scaffold.

Plosone

However, the significance of a lack of expression data for DIA1L-pt5 is unclear, as it must be appreciated that, for B. floridae, EST sequencing is still limited.

Plosone

These results demonstrated that a lack of responsiveness of CA1 pyramidal neurons to 0.5 mM choline does not necessarily reflect a lack of expression of functional α7* nAChRs.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing artistic performances, use "a lack of expression" to critique the performer's inability to convey emotion or connect with the audience. This highlights a specific deficiency in their art.

Common error

Avoid using "a lack of expression" when the situation involves a deliberate holding back of feelings. Use terms like "repression of expression" or "suppression of emotions" to accurately describe scenarios where feelings are consciously concealed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lack of expression" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to the absence or deficiency of outward signs of emotion, artistic talent, or communicative ability. Ludwig AI shows usage across varied contexts, reinforcing its role as a subject or object within sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lack of expression" is a common noun phrase used to denote the absence or deficiency of outward signs of emotion, talent, or communication. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. While appropriate for formal and informal settings, it is primarily found in analytical or critical discourse. When aiming for clarity, consider alternatives such as "absence of expressiveness" or "inability to express", depending on the intended nuance. Be mindful not to confuse it with deliberate suppression of emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of expressiveness

Focuses on the general absence of the quality of being expressive.

poverty of expression

Emphasizes a deficiency or inadequacy in the way something is expressed.

inability to express

Highlights the lack of capacity or skill in conveying thoughts or feelings.

failure to communicate

Shifts the focus to the unsuccessful transmission of information or emotion.

absence of emotion

Specifically denotes the absence of outward emotional display.

deficiency in articulation

Points to a lack of clarity or skill in verbalizing thoughts.

suppression of feelings

Suggests a deliberate holding back of emotions rather than a natural absence.

understatement

Implies a deliberate downplaying of expression, often for rhetorical effect.

muted response

Indicates a quiet or restrained reaction, lacking intensity.

lack of artistry

Refers to the absence of skill or creativity in artistic expression.

FAQs

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

You can use "a lack of expression" to describe someone's face, art or any behaviour in which emotions are absent. For example: "The painting was criticized for its "a lack of expression"".

What are some alternatives to "a lack of expression"?

Alternatives include "absence of expressiveness", "poverty of expression", or "inability to express", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "lack of expression" or "lacking expression"?

"Lack of expression" functions as a noun phrase, while "lacking expression" serves as an adjective phrase. The choice depends on the sentence structure; for example, "his face showed a "a lack of expression"" versus "his face was "lacking expression"".

What does "a lack of expression" imply in a scientific context?

In science, "a lack of expression" often refers to the absence of gene expression or protein production. This can have significant implications for understanding biological processes and disease mechanisms.