absence of confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absence of confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone lacks self-assurance or belief in their abilities. Example: "Her absence of confidence was evident during the presentation, as she struggled to make eye contact with the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

An absence of confidence in the economy is the only thing in this picture that makes sense.

The New York Times

Ms. Finn is painfully sympathetic as Claudine, who has the same complete absence of confidence and physical grace as Lena Dunham's character on HBO's "Girls".

The New York Times

The resolution, drafted by Britain, France and Germany, and endorsed by the United States, said there was an "absence of confidence that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes".

The New York Times

The agency's board voted by a slim majority to refer Iran to the United Nations Security Council because of an "absence of confidence that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes," the resolution says.

The New York Times

That sadistic streak lies just under the skin of this blazing territory, and leads in some way to the strange sense of inferiority and absence of confidence that strikes an American here.

The New York Times - Arts

Cookson, who had previously backed McQuaid's re-election bid, said in a statement provided by British Cycling that the "widespread absence of confidence in the integrity of the organisation" led him to stand against the incumbent.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It's pretty easy to understand what causes nervousness: It's what we feel in the absence of self-confidence.

Huffington Post

Before we think about the institutions like society, tradition and laws as deterrents, we have to realise that it is the absence of self-confidence among women themselves that creates a major obstacle to their participation.

Huffington Post

For example, the Statistics criterion rates abstracts on whether appropriate statistics were utilized and on the presence or absence of reported confidence intervals and p-values.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Therefore, in the absence of additional confidence through similar behavior from functionally related genes, we resorted to a stricter statistical test based on significance analysis of time-series data using profiles from biological replicate cultures (see Methods and [ 37, 38]).

BMC Genomics

It's a certainty of purpose that smacks of an absence of the self-confidence that's usual in an Israeli government given to parading itself as proudly and fervently nationalist.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the reasons for a project's failure, using "absence of confidence" can highlight the detrimental effects of lacking trust in the team or its strategy. Be specific about who or what lacks confidence to clarify the issue.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "there's an absence of confidence" without specifying who or what lacks it. Instead, clarify whether it's a lack of self-confidence, confidence in leadership, or confidence in a particular strategy to provide a more actionable insight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absence of confidence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of lacking belief or assurance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absence of confidence" is a grammatically sound and relatively formal way to describe a lack of belief or trust. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various writing contexts, particularly in news reporting, scientific discussions, and professional communications. While synonyms like "lack of self-assurance" or "want of conviction" exist, "absence of confidence" offers a nuanced way to emphasize the negative implications of missing trust or faith. When using this phrase, specify the source or object of the lacking confidence to maintain clarity and avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of self-assurance

Focuses specifically on the individual's lack of belief in their own abilities.

want of conviction

Highlights the deficiency in strong belief or certainty.

shortage of self-belief

Emphasizes the limited amount of faith in one's own capabilities.

paucity of trust

Underscores the scarcity of reliance or faith in something or someone.

deficiency in assertiveness

Points to a lack of proactive and confident behavior.

insecurity

Focuses on the general feeling of being unsafe or uncertain.

apprehension

Emphasizes worry or anxiety about future events.

doubt

Highlights the feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.

skepticism

Focuses on questioning or doubting the validity of something.

reservations

Indicates hesitations or doubts about a course of action.

FAQs

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

You can use "absence of confidence" to describe a situation where there is a lack of belief or trust. For example, "The project failed due to an absence of confidence in the new strategy" or "Her presentation was hindered by an absence of confidence in her own abilities".

What phrases are similar to "absence of confidence"?

Similar phrases include "lack of self-assurance", "want of conviction", and "shortage of self-belief". You can also use more general terms like "insecurity" or "doubt", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "absence of confidence" or "lack of confidence"?

Both "absence of confidence" and "lack of confidence" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. "Lack of confidence" might be more common in everyday conversation, while "absence of confidence" can sound slightly more formal.

What are the causes of "absence of confidence" in a team?

An "absence of confidence" in a team can stem from several factors including poor leadership, unclear goals, a history of failures, or lack of communication. Addressing these underlying issues can help rebuild trust and confidence.