a notable lack of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a notable lack of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight a significant absence or deficiency of something in a particular context. Example: "The report revealed a notable lack of evidence to support the claims made by the witnesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Score: 4 Guardian verdict: There has been a notable lack of scandal in the Obama administration.

The Guardian

This year has seen a notable lack of Qaeda members killed or captured in Pakistan.

The New York Times

There's also a notable lack of physical description of the characters or, well, anything.

The Guardian - Books

"I was like, I'm gonna show you," Marciniak says, with a notable lack of bitterness.

The New York Times - Books

The Japanese actors declaim corny English dialogue with a notable lack of conviction.

Independent

We will have a snow dome for skiers, not because the Northeast has a notable lack of hills, but because the hills have a notable lack of snow much of the year.

The New York Times

Mr. Abramov, who began frequenting the Bolshoi at 17, speaks of performers with a notable lack of awe.

The New York Times - Arts

His reports can be callow and detached — "The way in which Negroes are occasionally lynched is cruel" — but just as often they display a notable lack of chauvinism.

The New Yorker

Also helping was a notable lack of commercially potent new releases, with Ghost Rider 3D: Spirit of Vengeance (£1.34m) the only debutant in the top 10.

The Guardian - Film

The dialogue was conducted in tennis-match closeups; the stuntwoman's Buffy wig shook over her eyes when she kicked; there was a notable lack of mise-en-scène.

The New Yorker

Yet despite the enormous popularity of conjuring for both male and female audiences, there is still a notable lack of women in the magic shows.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "a notable lack of" with specific data or examples to illustrate the extent of the deficiency. This makes the statement more impactful and credible.

Common error

Avoid using "a notable lack of" when the absence is trivial or expected. This can weaken your writing by drawing unnecessary attention to insignificant details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a notable lack of" functions as a noun phrase that typically introduces a statement about the absence or deficiency of something. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

42%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a notable lack of" is a versatile phrase used to highlight a significant absence or deficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal writing, make it a valuable tool for expressing shortcomings. While highly prevalent, it is crucial to ensure that the absence being noted is indeed significant to avoid weakening your argument. Remember, while various alternatives exist, the phrase offers a clear and professional way to convey that something is substantially missing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant absence of

Replaces "lack" with "absence" and "notable" with "significant", emphasizing the absence is important.

a marked deficiency in

Substitutes "lack" with "deficiency" and "notable" with "marked", highlighting the inadequacy.

a conspicuous absence of

Uses "conspicuous" instead of "notable", suggesting the absence is easily noticeable.

a striking shortage of

Replaces "lack" with "shortage" and "notable" with "striking", emphasizing the insufficiency is impressive.

a palpable dearth of

Employs "dearth" instead of "lack" and "palpable" instead of "notable", indicating a scarcity that is strongly felt.

a clear inadequacy of

Substitutes "lack" with "inadequacy" and "notable" with "clear", emphasizing the deficiency is evident.

a pronounced deficit in

Uses "deficit" instead of "lack" and "pronounced" instead of "notable", stressing the deficiency is strongly noticeable.

a recognizable scarcity of

Replaces "lack" with "scarcity" and "notable" with "recognizable", highlighting the lack of abundance is easy to appreciate.

an observable insufficiency of

Substitutes "lack" with "insufficiency" and "notable" with "observable", emphasizing the deficiency is something easy to notice.

a glaring omission of

Uses "omission" instead of "lack" and "glaring" instead of "notable", stressing that something required or expected has been left out.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a notable lack of" in a sentence?

Use "a notable lack of" to emphasize a significant absence or deficiency. For instance, "There is "a notable lack of funding" for this project, hindering its progress."

What are some alternatives to "a notable lack of" that I can use in my writing?

You can use alternatives like "a significant absence of", "a marked deficiency in", or "a conspicuous absence of" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a notable lack of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a notable lack of" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to express that something is significantly missing. However, ensure the tone and register are appropriate for the specific audience and purpose.

What's the difference between "a notable lack of" and "a slight lack of"?

"A notable lack of" indicates a significant and noticeable deficiency, whereas "a slight lack of" suggests a minor or negligible absence. The choice depends on the degree of deficiency you want to convey.