a lack of response

USAGE SUMMARY

"a lack of response" is an entirely correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone not responding to something, either verbally or through physical action. For example, "We expected a thank you for our gesture, however, all we received was a lack of response."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He said he had been frustrated a year ago by a lack of response from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The New York Times

However, there is a lack of response predictive biomarkers.

European Urology Focus

But the army postponed the talks citing a lack of response to the offer.

The Guardian

"We consistently indicated that we want to talk" but there was a lack of response, Mr. Kloppers said.

The New York Times

"We consistently indicated that we want to talk, but there was a lack of response," he said.

The New York Times

At length, the driver, detecting a lack of response, turned around and said, "Perhaps you ain't interested in baseball".

The New Yorker

Universities could count a lack of response as a lack of interest in athletics.

The New York Times - Sports

KRAS mutations are unambiguously linked to a lack of response to these targeted therapies.

Bulletin du Cancer

Discouraged from a lack of response, Mr. Harnar waited three more years before he went back to performing.

The New York Times - Arts

K-ras mutations have been significantly associated with a lack of response to EGF-R tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with NSCLC and with a lack of response to cetuximab or to panitumumab in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

European Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A lack-of-response within 5 sec from the termination of the second warning stimulus was also considered as an incorrect trial.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lack of response", consider the context. It often implies disappointment or frustration, so ensure it aligns with the tone of your writing.

Common error

Don't automatically equate "a lack of response" with disinterest or disagreement. Consider external factors such as workload, technical issues, or personal circumstances that may prevent someone from responding promptly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lack of response" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of inactivity or absence of reaction. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase indicates that no answer, action, or communication has been received.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lack of response" is a common noun phrase used to describe the absence of a reaction or reply. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and high frequency across various domains, including science, news, and formal communication. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "no response" or "failure to respond", the specific choice depends on the desired nuance and formality. It's crucial to consider the context when interpreting "a lack of response", as it doesn't always imply negative intent. Use this phrase to clearly and concisely convey situations where communication or reaction is absent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no response

A more concise way of saying there was no reaction or answer.

absence of response

More formal, emphasizing the non-existence of a response.

failure to respond

Highlights the act of not responding, implying a possible obligation or expectation.

no reaction

Broader term encompassing any kind of reaction, not just verbal or written.

unresponsiveness

Focuses on the quality of being unresponsive as a characteristic.

silence

Implies a complete absence of any communication.

non-communication

Highlights the absence of communication as a whole.

ignored

Suggests a deliberate act of not responding.

neglect

implies a culpable failure to respond or react.

passivity

Suggests a lack of active participation or reaction.

FAQs

What does "a lack of response" mean?

The phrase "a lack of response" indicates an absence of reaction, reply, or communication to a stimulus, question, or request. It implies that no answer or action was received.

What are some alternative phrases for "a lack of response"?

You can use alternatives such as "no response", "absence of response", or "failure to respond" depending on the specific context.

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

Here's an example: "The project was delayed due to a lack of response from the stakeholders." You can adapt this structure to various situations where a reaction or answer is missing.

Is it better to say "lack of response" or "lack of responses"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but their usage depends on the context. "Lack of response" refers to a general absence of reaction, while "lack of responses" implies the absence of multiple, distinct reactions.