absence of enemies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absence of enemies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or state where there are no adversaries or opponents present. Example: "In a world characterized by the absence of enemies, peace and cooperation can flourish among nations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

This absence of enemies will save her.

The Guardian

"The difference between 1942 and 2012 is not the absence of enemies, that same desire to destroy the Jewish people and the state that has arisen," he said.

The Guardian

Within a few days, the jar would contain a whole galaxy of whirling, darting life — uncountable trillions of paramecia, the slipper animalcule, each as small as a dust grain, all multiplying without restraint in their temporary Eden of favorable temperature, abundant food, absence of enemies.

The New Yorker

We also examined whether chemical deterrence to herbivory was mitigated by time elapsed in the new range in the putative absence of enemies.

Plosone

These experiments typically use quantitative genetic approaches to determine whether, in the absence of enemies, fitness and resistance are inversely correlated.

BMC Ecology

Bacteria that had evolved in the absence of enemies had a higher yield than ancestral, phage-only or multi-enemy bacteria (F3,109 = 55.608, p < 0.001, Figure  3 b; ancestor vs. no enemies: p < 0.001; phage-only vs. no-enemies: p < 0.001; phage-only vs. no-enemies: p < 0.001).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Taking advantage of the temporary absence of enemy shipping, Junon slipped out of the Îles des Saintes to the south of Guadeloupe on 4 February and sailed north.

Wikipedia

While Nelson was crossing the Mediterranean, St Vincent was taking advantage of the absence of enemy forces in the Western Mediterranean to deploy newly arrived warships to the region.

Wikipedia

The fighting began on 4 April, with C Company crossing the river into the centre of the city on 8 April; in the absence of enemy armor, they provided close fire support to infantrymen engaged in house-to-house fighting.

Wikipedia

Together, the absence of natural enemies for introduced species (enemy release hypothesis) and a reduction in the costs associated with intraspecific territoriality for supercolonies permit more energy to be allocated to the production of workers [11].

Plosone

Its rapid rate of reproduction, combined with the absence of natural enemies in those regions, resulted in its decimation of local reef fishes and its designation as an invasive species.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing ecological scenarios, use "absence of enemies" to explain how invasive species thrive in new environments due to the lack of natural predators.

Common error

Avoid using "absence of enemies" when you simply mean a lack of immediate challenge. The phrase often implies a broader, more systemic lack of opposition rather than a temporary lull.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absence of enemies" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It is used to describe a state or condition where there are no adversaries or threats present. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absence of enemies" is a grammatically correct and semantically rich expression primarily used to describe scenarios where no adversaries or threats exist. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a usable phrase in English. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it highlights how the lack of opposition can significantly influence outcomes, such as the unchecked growth of invasive species in ecological systems. While alternatives like "lack of adversaries" and "no opposition present" offer similar meanings, it's important to consider the specific context to ensure appropriate usage. It's also essential to avoid misinterpreting the scope by using it to describe any temporary lack of challenge, since the phrase usually implies a more systemic condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of adversaries

Emphasizes the absence of opponents or rivals.

absence of threats

Highlights the lack of potential dangers or menaces.

no opposition present

Highlights the non-existence of conflicting forces.

non-existence of foes

Stresses that there are no adversaries in a given context.

freedom from conflict

Focuses on the state of being without struggle or disputes.

peaceful environment

Indicates a setting where hostility is absent.

lack of antagonism

Focuses on the absence of active hostility or opposition.

safe environment

Implies a secure setting without the presence of enemies.

uncontested space

Suggests an area or situation without rivalry.

absence of warfare

Directly refers to the non-existence of armed conflict.

FAQs

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

You can use "absence of enemies" to describe situations where there are no adversaries or opponents, often leading to unchecked growth or dominance. For instance, "The invasive species thrived in the "absence of enemies" in its new habitat."

What are some alternatives to "absence of enemies"?

Alternatives include "lack of adversaries", "no opposition present", or "freedom from conflict", depending on the specific context.

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

While grammatically understandable, "in the absence of enemies" is the more common and grammatically correct phrasing. Using the article "the" clarifies the context.

How does the "absence of enemies" affect ecological systems?

In ecology, the "absence of enemies" often leads to increased population sizes of certain species, particularly in cases of invasive species that haven't co-evolved with local predators or diseases. This can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem.