a substantial absence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial absence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant lack or nonexistence of something, often in contexts such as attendance, participation, or presence. Example: "The report highlighted a substantial absence of data regarding the project's impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The agreement between the bulk and individual frequency estimates shows a substantial absence of bias: the slope of regression between the two series of values was 1·0 and the intercept was 0·0, with an R of 0·93.

Annals of Botany

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Rates of patients reaching a score < 3 (substantial absence of impairment) at each PSP subscale were significantly higher among clinical remitters, independent of the criterion adopted; similarly, an increasing proportion of patients showing no impairment was detected with more stringent criteria (PANNS-PNScr and PANSS-TScr).

BMC Psychiatry

In the case of websites, the internet gives access to a huge quantity of information, which may be either too general or non controlled or, worse, misleading due to the substantial "absence of a governing body or authority that serves a gate-keeping function for web publications" mentioned by Borowitz and Wyatt [9] more than 10 years ago.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

"There is clear evidence that a significant lack of investment has led to a complete, or at least substantial, absence of services in many parts of the country".

BBC

Monday, Vida Web Women in Literary Arts released their annual byline count, highlighting the substantial absence of women from many literary magazines.

The Guardian

Yet, though I was impressed by the technical energy of Saldana's performance, despite the misjudgment of her casting, I was struck by another, even more substantial absence, one that's emphasized by the clips of Simone that are on view in Garbus's documentary: with Saldana, the music seems to come from without rather than from within.

The New Yorker

Late approval of dedicated laws explains the substantial absence of any seismic damage reduction measures applied to the buildings hit by the 2012 earthquake, especially residential houses.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

The figures show a substantial decrease in absence rates for illness between the autumn term of 2010 and the autumn term of 2011.

BBC

This drop may be partly down to a "substantial" decrease in absence in the autumn term 2011, which was due to a number of factors, government statisticians suggest, including a drop in pupils taking time off ill and the fact that the Muslim festival Eid fell out of term time.

BBC

As expected, the observed defect in sporozoite locomotion and invasion to mosquito salivary glands translates into a substantial delay or absence of infection during natural transmission.

Cellular Microbiology

The result is that Tate & Lyle maintains a low level of long-term sickness absence, with a substantial reduction in long-term absence (64%) and early retirements (75%) due to ill-health since 2000.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial absence", ensure the context clearly defines what is lacking and why its absence is significant. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial absence" in overly broad or general statements. Always specify what is absent and the consequences of its absence to maintain precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial absence" functions as a noun phrase that describes a significant lack or nonexistence of something. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is often used to highlight deficiencies or omissions in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial absence" is a versatile phrase used to denote a significant lack or nonexistence of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used in formal, scientific, and news contexts. To enhance clarity, specify what is absent and the consequences of its absence. Alternatives include "significant lack" and "considerable deficit". Avoid overuse in overly general statements to maintain precision and ensure your writing is both impactful and clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant lack

Focuses on the deficiency or shortage, emphasizing the inadequacy.

considerable deficit

Highlights the insufficiency, often in quantitative terms.

marked unavailability

Stresses the absence of access or presence.

noticeable nonexistence

Emphasizes the complete lack of something, making it conspicuous.

major void

Indicates a significant gap or emptiness.

pronounced dearth

Highlights a severe scarcity or shortage.

clear omission

Focuses on the act of leaving something out or the state of being left out.

large-scale deficiency

Indicates a widespread and significant lack or shortage.

extensive privation

Emphasizes the severe lack of basic necessities or comforts.

significant non-occurrence

Highlights that something expected or possible did not happen.

FAQs

How can I use "a substantial absence" in a sentence?

You can use "a substantial absence" to describe a significant lack of something. For example, "The report highlighted "a substantial absence" of data regarding the project's impact."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial absence"?

Alternatives include "significant lack", "considerable deficit", or "marked unavailability", depending on the specific context.

Is "a substantial absence" formal or informal?

"A substantial absence" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, as it is commonly used in news, scientific reports, and business documents.

What is the difference between "a substantial absence" and "a significant absence"?

While both phrases are similar, "a substantial absence" often implies a larger or more impactful lack than "a significant absence", though they are frequently interchangeable.