absence of consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absence of consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is no agreement or shared opinion among a group of people. Example: "The absence of consensus among the committee members led to delays in the decision-making process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inside the administration, the guiding principle is to move cautiously in the absence of consensus.

The New York Times

In the absence of consensus, it was expected that the treaty would be sent to the General Assembly as early as next week for approval.

The New York Times

"The absence of consensus in the U.N. should not condemn us to inaction," he said, in a clear reference to Mr. Chrétien's stance that Canada would not support the war in Iraq without Security Council approval.

The New York Times

The Medicare agency "is taking a very activist approach in the absence of consensus among the various disciplines," said Dr. Barry T. Katzen, medical director of the Baptist Cardiac and Vascular Institute in Miami.

The New York Times

It will probably take scientists years to figure out how much danger, if any, acrylamide poses in food, leaving an absence of consensus about what steps should be taken in the meantime.

The New York Times

Modern critics of the diagnosis point out the absence of consensus on diagnostic criteria and treatment and blame sensational stories of DID patients like the 1976 TV movie Sybil" for creating an "epidemic" of MPD diagnoses.

Independent

Reports say the explanation for its unusual failure to hand down a detailed opinion was the absence of consensus among the eight judges about why they decided to exonerate him.

The Economist

In general, an absence of consensus among the standards was detected.

Energy

This lack of agreement is due to the absence of consensus in the national or international guidelines.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

In the absence of consensus on the referents of mass expressions, controversy about stuff is bound to continue.

SEP

As stated by Fukuyama [18], p.12: "one of the greatest weaknesses of the social capital concept is the absence of consensus on how to measure it".

Health Economics Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "absence of consensus", consider whether a more direct term like "disagreement" or "lack of agreement" might be more concise and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "absence of consensus" in contexts where simpler language would suffice. Overusing complex phrases can make your writing sound pretentious or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absence of consensus" functions as a noun phrase typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It indicates the state of not having a shared agreement among a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absence of consensus" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase signifying the lack of agreement within a group. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across various contexts. Its function is descriptive, serving to highlight situations where a unified decision or opinion is unattainable. While the phrase maintains a neutral to formal tone, it is most prevalent in scientific, news, and business environments. For simpler communication, alternatives like "lack of agreement" or "disagreement" may be suitable. Overusing this phrase in simple contexts should be avoided for clarity and impact. Overall, understanding its proper usage ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of agreement

Replaces "absence" with "lack", emphasizing the state of not having agreement.

lack of accord

Replaces "consensus" with "accord", focusing on the absence of harmonious agreement.

lack of unanimity

Substitutes "consensus" with "unanimity", highlighting the complete agreement that is missing.

disagreement

Offers a more direct term for the lack of accord.

no shared understanding

Shifts the focus to the lack of a common interpretation or comprehension.

discord

Emphasizes a lack of harmony or agreement.

failure to agree

Highlights the action of not reaching an agreement.

division of opinion

Focuses on the split in viewpoints among a group.

dissent

Highlights the presence of differing opinions.

differing viewpoints

Emphasizes the existence of multiple, non-aligned perspectives.

FAQs

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

You can use "absence of consensus" to describe situations where there is no general agreement, for example, "The project was delayed due to the absence of consensus on the best approach."

What are some alternatives to "absence of consensus"?

Some alternatives include "lack of agreement", "disagreement", or "division of opinion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "absence of consensus" or "lack of consensus"?

Both "absence of consensus" and "lack of consensus" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Lack of consensus" might be slightly more common and easier to understand at first glance.

What does "absence of consensus" imply?

The phrase "absence of consensus" implies that a group or collective body is unable to reach a unanimous or generally agreed-upon decision or viewpoint. This can lead to inaction, delays, or further debate.