absence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'absence' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not present, or a lack of something. For example, "I was struck by the absence of birds during my walk in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They think it's unfair to expect Germany to make an open-ended commitment to support these countries in the absence of meaningful reform.

The New York Times

A judge accepted Whelan's offer to submit his passport and imposed conditions that prevented the executive from leaving the city for more than eight consecutive days without communicating his absence.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite the absence of away fans the atmosphere was not helped by a security operation that, according to eyewitnesses, was woefully inadequate.

The Guardian - Sport

The official confirmed that, in the absence of handover or destruction, this was indeed the government's intention.

The Guardian

We certainly are in no way looking to make further binding commitments in the absence of very serious like binding commitments from other countries, and there is no evidence of that".

The Guardian

This absence is at least partially explained by the thorough discrediting of nationalism after nazism and the fact that, unlike further east, communist elites did not become corrupt nouveaux riches (and therefore the subject of a rightwing backlash, as in Hungary, for instance).

The Guardian - Opinion

"Syria is where all the problems, and the absence of solutions, of modern foreign policy come together – so much so that the human consequences are losing their capacity to shock," he said.

The Guardian

It is not about the absence of religion but the absence of religious power, a freedom from patriarchal straightjackets that might stifle our lives, dreams and aspirations.

The Guardian - Opinion

The champions realised they had a game on their hands again and Charlie Mulgrew, the stand-in skipper in the absence of suspended Scott Brown, came close with a decent drive after being set up by Stokes.

The Guardian - Sport

Furthermore (and Dacre would have been proud of this line), "the ABC has an endless list of progressive journalists and hosts sharing their perspectives and an absence of hosts or programmers who are mainstream or, heaven forbid, conservative".

The Guardian - Opinion

Here Schürrle had a secondary role too, his acceleration and willingness to run behind Arsenal's high defensive line a vital quality in the absence of a genuinely pacy centre-forward.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the "absence" of something, clearly specify what is missing and the potential consequences. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

While "absence" is appropriate, avoid relying on it too heavily in formal contexts. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "lack", "dearth", or "deficiency" for more nuanced expression.

Linguistic Context

The word "absence" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a state of being away or a lack of something. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it is used to describe missing elements, non-attendance, or a deficiency in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absence" is a versatile noun used to denote a state of being away or a lack of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and common use. While "absence" is broadly suitable for various contexts, including formal and informal writing, it is especially frequent in news and media. Remember to clearly specify what is missing and consider using synonyms to avoid overuse in formal writing. Key authoritative sources include The Guardian and The New York Times, as evidenced by the Ludwig examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack

This term directly denotes a deficiency or want of something, similar to a key aspect of "absence".

nonexistence

This emphasizes the complete lack of something, highlighting a more extreme form of "absence".

dearth

Implies a scarcity or shortage, closely related to the idea of something being absent.

want

Similar to "lack", this term expresses a need or deficiency.

deficiency

Focuses on the incompleteness or inadequacy due to something missing, akin to "absence".

omission

Refers to something that has been left out or not included, connecting to the idea of something being absent.

non-attendance

Specifically relates to not being present at a place or event, mirroring a common use of "absence".

inaccessibility

Highlights the inability to reach or obtain something, which could stem from its "absence".

unavailability

Emphasizes that something is not accessible or ready for use, linking to the concept of "absence".

removal

Focuses on the act of taking something away, resulting in its "absence".

FAQs

How can I use "absence" in a sentence?

You can use "absence" to describe a state of being away, a lack of something, or a failure to be present. For example, "The project suffered due to the absence of clear leadership."

What words can I use instead of "absence"?

You can use alternatives such as "lack", "dearth", "deficiency", or "nonexistence" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "absence" and "lack"?

"Absence" generally refers to a state of being away or missing, while "lack" refers to a deficiency or shortage. The terms are often interchangeable, but "absence" can also refer to physical absence.

Is it correct to say "in the absence of"?

Yes, "in the absence of" is a correct and commonly used phrase that means "without" or "in the lack of". For example, "In the absence of evidence, the case was dismissed."