a sudden absence

USAGE SUMMARY

"a sudden absence" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you can use it in a sentence like "The company's profits showed a sudden absence after the bad weather disrupted their supply chain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Mourning happens slowly and incompletely, as we try to come to terms with a sudden absence.

The New Yorker

So how would a sudden absence of this chemical depressant effect me?

The Guardian

After the die, the material experiences a sudden absence of shear stress at the gas/liquid interface on the top, while the bottom maintains a still shear-dominant flow.

Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics

Whether these predicted shifts in public opinion are driven by an emotional clouding or a sudden absence of emotional clouding, those on the other side of the political divide recognise that arguing the point is useless.

Vice

Diabetes nurses try to manage during the diabetes-oriented doctor's holidays - with the support of other GPs, if needed - and a sudden absence for any reason would be a major problem.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This novel peers into the void left by a woman's sudden absence.

The New York Times

It's not just what Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger calls "the decompression" suffered after an intensive high, it's also the sudden absence of a spectacle that essentially makes the autumn and winter tolerable.

Independent

In my novels, this is often depicted as a clash of innocence with the bewildering problem of sudden absence in some form — a lost brother, an absent mother, a dying father, etc. — and the lost worlds that ensue as a result.

The New Yorker

A novel that peers into the void left by the sudden absence of a 56-year-old housewife in Mount Ephraim, N.Y.

The New York Times

Thus, the sudden absence of a key adult female within an already unstable matriline or group may be a necessary perturbation to precipitate the sufficient degradation of alliance networks or the matrilineal hierarchy such that a social overthrow occurs.

Plosone

His sudden absence opened a horizon that was at once unknown and uncharted.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about emotional impact, consider using "a sudden absence" to highlight the feelings of loss or disruption caused by someone or something no longer being present.

Common error

Avoid using "a sudden absence" when you actually mean a general lack of something. "Absence" implies something was present before, while "lack" indicates something was never there. For example, use "a lack of evidence" instead of "a sudden absence of evidence" if evidence never existed in the first place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sudden absence" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an unexpected state of being away or a lack of presence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sudden absence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes an unexpected lack or disappearance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and formal documents. While alternatives like "an abrupt departure" or "an unexpected vanishing" exist, "a sudden absence" effectively conveys the sense of surprise and disruption caused by the event. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects something that was previously present, distinguishing it from a general lack.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an abrupt departure

Focuses on the act of leaving abruptly, rather than the state of being absent.

an unexpected vanishing

Emphasizes the mysterious nature of the disappearance.

a surprising disappearance

Emphasizes the element of surprise in the vanishing.

a precipitous drop-off

Suggests a rapid decrease or decline in something.

an unannounced exit

Highlights the lack of warning or announcement before leaving.

an immediate cessation

Highlights the sudden stopping of something.

a rapid termination

Focuses on the quick ending or conclusion of something.

a swift removal

Focuses on the speed and act of taking something away.

a quick desertion

Emphasizes the act of abandoning or leaving quickly.

an unforeseen vacancy

Highlights the unexpected opening or lack created by the absence.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sudden absence" to describe an unexpected disappearance or lack of something. For example, "The team struggled after "a sudden absence" of their star player".

What are some alternatives to "a sudden absence"?

Alternatives include "an abrupt departure", "an unexpected vanishing", or "an immediate cessation", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say 'the sudden absence of' or 'a sudden absence of'?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "the sudden absence of" implies a specific absence that is already known or understood, while "a sudden absence of" introduces a new or unexpected absence.

What kind of situations is the phrase "a sudden absence" best suited for?

The phrase "a sudden absence" is best suited for describing unexpected disappearances, cessations, or removals that cause a noticeable impact or disruption.