a lack of trust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lack of trust" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing issues related to confidence or belief in someone's reliability or integrity. Example: "The team's performance suffered due to a lack of trust among its members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That had created a lack of trust.

The New Yorker

"There is a lack of trust.

The New Yorker

Restricting access implies a lack of trust.

The Guardian

"There is a lack of trust there," Mr. Meyers said.

The New York Times

And jealousy is caused by a lack of trust.

The New York Times - Magazine

These incentives, he said, showed a lack of trust.

The New York Times

The basic problem is a lack of trust.

The New York Times

So, it seems, does a lack of trust.

The New York Times - Sports

Such a lack of trust prevents them from building relationships.

The Economist

"That would show a lack of trust in ourselves.

The New York Times

Often, managers micromanage and therefore a lack of trust is inherently communicated.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a lack of trust", clearly identify the parties involved. For example, specify a "lack of trust between management and employees" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a lack of trust" without specifying its origin. For instance, instead of saying "there's a lack of trust", clarify with "there's a lack of trust in the government's economic policies" to provide context and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lack of trust" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a deficiency or absence of confidence and reliance. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

19%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lack of trust" functions as a noun phrase denoting an absence of confidence, frequently appearing in news, scientific, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. To enhance clarity, specify the involved parties when using this phrase. Alternatives include "mistrust", "skepticism" and "waning confidence", each carrying slightly different connotations. Avoiding overgeneralization by clarifying the source of distrust will improve the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mistrust

Uses a single word that directly implies the opposite of trust.

a deficit of trust

Replaces "lack" with "deficit", emphasizing insufficiency in a more formal tone.

an absence of trust

Substitutes "lack" with "absence", highlighting the complete non-existence of trust.

a shortage of trust

Uses "shortage" instead of "lack", suggesting a limited supply or availability of trust.

a dearth of trust

Employs "dearth" for "lack", indicating a scarcity or famine of trust in a more literary style.

waning confidence

Focuses on the decrease of confidence as a synonym for decreasing trust.

eroding faith

Highlights the gradual destruction of faith, similar to a gradual loss of trust.

skepticism

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word indicating doubt or disbelief.

suspicion

Emphasizes the element of doubt and wariness present when trust is absent.

a credibility gap

Shifts the focus to the perception of believability rather than trust itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "a lack of trust" to describe situations where confidence or belief in someone or something is diminished. For example: "The project failed due to a lack of trust between the team members."

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

Alternatives include "mistrust", "skepticism", or "waning confidence" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lack of trust" or "a lack of trust"?

Both "lack of trust" and "a lack of trust" are grammatically correct, but "a lack of trust" is generally preferred when you are referring to a specific instance or situation. "Lack of trust" can be used in a more general or abstract sense.

What's the difference between "a lack of trust" and "distrust"?

"A lack of trust" describes a neutral absence of confidence, while "distrust" implies active suspicion or a belief that someone is unreliable or dishonest. Distrust is a stronger, more negative term.