a total absence of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a total absence of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a complete lack or nonexistence of something in a particular context. Example: "The report highlighted a total absence of evidence to support the claims made by the witnesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(A total absence of ego).

The New York Times

And there's a total absence of desperation.

The Guardian

I was struck by a total absence of aggression.

The Guardian - Travel

A total absence of green NGO voices was shocking.

The Guardian

"There's a total absence of response to this French anguish.

The New York Times

"There was a total absence of service, and the rooms were terrible".

The New York Times - Style

This is the problem with Bieber, with the Bieber package: a total absence of humour.

The Guardian - Music

The political crisis is all on the left, with a total absence of opposition.

The Guardian - Opinion

Liveability, it seems, is defined by a total absence of risk or chance, pleasure or surprise.

The Guardian - Arts

As did I, when I saw a total absence of Underworld.

The Guardian - Music

For Belgrade's people, today brought a total absence of independent broadcast news.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer the shorter alternative phrases as much as the context allows.

Common error

Avoid using "a total absence of" when there is a slight or partial presence of the thing you are describing. This phrase should be reserved for situations where there is absolutely nothing present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a total absence of" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object, typically followed by a noun or pronoun. According to Ludwig, it's used to denote a complete lack or nonexistence of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a total absence of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to emphasize the complete lack of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. While alternatives like "complete lack of" and "utter dearth of" exist, "a total absence of" provides a strong and clear statement. It’s important to use this phrase accurately, ensuring there is genuinely nothing present rather than just a deficiency. The phrase is prevalent across news, science, and formal writing, making it a versatile choice for diverse communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entire absence of

Uses 'entire' to reinforce the completeness of the absence.

complete lack of

Focuses on the 'lack' aspect, emphasizing insufficiency rather than complete nonexistence.

total lack of

A more concise version, directly stating the absence without additional emphasis.

utter dearth of

Uses 'dearth' to highlight scarcity and lack, conveying a more pronounced sense of absence.

complete nonexistence of

Explicitly states that something does not exist, removing any ambiguity.

absolute void of

Emphasizes emptiness and lack, suggesting a complete absence with no presence whatsoever.

entirely devoid of

Uses 'devoid' to indicate that something is completely lacking a particular quality or element.

zero presence of

Highlights the lack of presence or existence, emphasizing the absence of any trace.

complete elimination of

Suggests the removal or eradication of something, leading to its absence.

blanket absence of

Implies that the absence covers everything, leaving no exceptions.

FAQs

How can I use "a total absence of" in a sentence?

You can use "a total absence of" to describe a complete lack of something. For example, "There was "a total absence of" evidence to support the claim."

What are some alternatives to "a total absence of"?

Some alternatives include "complete lack of", "utter dearth of", or "complete nonexistence of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a total absence of"?

While "absence" itself implies a lack, "a total absence of" emphasizes the completeness of the lack, making it suitable when you want to stress the utter nonexistence of something. You may consider omitting "total" to make it more concise.

When should I use "a complete absence of" instead of "a total absence of"?

Both "a complete absence of" and "a total absence of" are very similar and often interchangeable. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference, although "total" might slightly emphasize the utter and absolute nature of the absence.