a stark lack of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stark lack of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a significant absence or deficiency of something. Example: "The report highlighted a stark lack of resources available for the project, which hindered its progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Since then he has run it with a stark lack of sentimentality and with outrageous success.

The Economist

American workers showed a stark lack of interest in joining unions, emphasized by statistics on union membership.

The Guardian - Money

Some will think it admirable that he wishes to adhere to his commitment to the Milwaukee tournament, but most will agree it displays a stark lack of ambition.

The Guardian - Sport

The Conservatives are hampered by a stark lack of support among ethnic minority voters: just 16% of BME voters backed the party in 2010, compared to 68% who supported Labour.

The Guardian

Although a Disability Act has been passed, he says amendments are needed and criticises a stark "lack of funding and any sense the provisions are being adhered to in terms of accessibility to public buildings and the creation of opportunity to the various disabled groups nationwide".

The Guardian

You'll notice a stark lack of test code; I still need to track down an iOS heisenbug; I should be using git submodules rather than copy-pasted files for the third-party libraries; etc. (eta: ugh, and a rogue layout file slipped into the Android build which caused it to crash on tablets. Now fixed).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

This may be a necessity due to the stark lack of evidence available at the scene of the deaths – a feature that some suggest could indicate the work of professional killers – but if this is the case, why not bring in better trained detectives to investigate the cases?

Vice

Even while I do not see much rationale for an increase, especially given elevated underemployment and the stark lack of inflationary pressures, given their recent messaging, a non-liftoff in December would suggest the economy is a lot worse than they thought in some secret way they've been keeping from us.

Huffington Post

Sky News's misrepresentation of Malorie Blackman's words about the stark lack of diversity in children's books has a long, painful history.

The Guardian - Books

Today, the private equity and venture capital industry is embarrassed by its stark lack of diversity and failure to include and invest in a pipeline that cultivates innovative talent inherent in America's minority communities.

Huffington Post

Contraception is one of the most commonly prescribed medications, and the consequences of denying it are stark – lack of contraception access can mean everything from serious health complications to economic hardship to death.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a stark lack of", ensure that the context clearly indicates the negative consequences or implications of this deficiency. This strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a stark lack of" in very casual or informal writing. The phrase is generally more suitable for formal reports, news articles, or academic papers where a serious tone is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stark lack of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It highlights a significant deficiency or absence. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's proper usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stark lack of" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize a significant deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides diverse examples. It's best suited for neutral to formal contexts, like news reports, scientific papers, or business communications, where highlighting a serious absence is crucial. While "a stark lack of" isn't exceedingly common, its precise and impactful nature makes it valuable in appropriate settings. Alternative phrases, like "a pronounced absence of" or "a significant shortage of", can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pronounced absence of

Emphasizes the noticeable quality of the absence.

a significant shortage of

Focuses on the inadequacy of supply or provision.

a glaring deficiency in

Highlights the obvious and easily noticeable nature of the lack.

a conspicuous absence of

Stresses the easily visible or noticeable nature of the absence.

a critical deficit of

Indicates that the lack is severe and has important consequences.

a substantial inadequacy of

Focuses on the considerable degree to which something is insufficient.

a marked insufficiency of

Highlights the noticeable or evident nature of the inadequacy.

a severe dearth of

Indicates an extreme scarcity or lack.

a notable paucity of

Emphasizes that the lack is small or insufficient in quantity.

a fundamental privation of

Highlights the basic or essential nature of what is lacking.

FAQs

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

You can use "a stark lack of" to emphasize a significant absence or deficiency. For example, "The investigation revealed "a stark lack of" evidence to support the claim".

What's the difference between "a stark lack of" and "a clear lack of"?

"A stark lack of" emphasizes the severity and obviousness of the deficiency, whereas "a clear lack of" simply indicates that the deficiency is easily noticeable. The former carries a stronger connotation of severity.

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

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

Is "a stark lack of" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "a stark lack of" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you want to highlight a severe or obvious deficiency. It adds emphasis and seriousness to your statement.