absence of ideas

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absence of ideas" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there are no thoughts, concepts, or plans present. Example: "The meeting was unproductive, marked by an absence of ideas from the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But the movie involves a far more menacing emptiness than the physical void of outer space: the absence of ideas.

The New Yorker

But this is clouded by three other things: fury, an absence of ideas and more than a little craziness.

The Economist

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet But the movie involves a far more menacing emptiness than the physical void of outer space: the absence of ideas.

The New Yorker

It appears that only two people in the world didn't like "Gravity": Richard Brody — who wrote that the movie's most dangerous vacuum is its "absence of ideas" — and me.

The New Yorker

In January this year I phoned around to find out what they had planned for this most vital of years, and was unnerved by the absence of ideas: there seemed to be no big event planned for the year, no co-ordinated campaign, no co-ordination, in fact, at all.

The Guardian

"I think it is the absence of ideas that is the cause of pain and frustration and that's when writers or comedians will say they can't be in relationships too long or can't be tied down, they have to put work first.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

In the absence of any ideas, Morsi, an uncharismatic backroom guy at the best of times, seems to have copied the only example he knew: Mubarak's.

The New Yorker

In the absence of alternative ideas, Cameron told the dinner he would not take the proposal to freeze in-work benefits for EU citizens in the UK off the table.

The Guardian

Five Sydney and Melbourne theatres have been criticised for an absence of curatorial ideas in their 2015 seasons, failing to engage with contemporary Australian and world politics and for being "very cosy and white".

The Guardian

The absence of new ideas in chess was reflected in the appearance of agreed draws in fewer than 20 moves ironically called "grandmaster draws"—in the first two decades of the 20th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The primary goal is to entertain – something the book itself has often failed to do – but it's also intended as a (semi-) serious critique, for much of the fun is derived from clunky plot devices that don't work, pretentious stylistic tics, risible dialogue and an absence of big ideas.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "absence of ideas" to critically analyze situations where creativity or strategic thinking is noticeably missing, such as in project planning or political discourse. It highlights a significant deficiency that needs addressing.

Common error

Avoid using "absence of ideas" in casual conversation; it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler phrases like "lack of ideas" or "no ideas" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absence of ideas" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a state of lacking thoughts, concepts, or plans, as evidenced by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absence of ideas" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote a lack of thoughts or creativity, as validated by Ludwig. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's more suited to formal contexts like news, science, and business, where analytical and critical observations are common. The phrase serves to highlight deficiencies in strategic thinking. For informal conversations, simpler alternatives like "lack of ideas" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "absence of ideas" when you aim to emphasize a notable deficiency in innovative thought.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of innovation

Focuses specifically on the lack of new and creative approaches.

lack of originality

Stresses the absence of fresh or novel concepts.

paucity of thought

Emphasizes a scarcity or lack of deep thinking.

dearth of inspiration

Focuses on the absence of motivating or stimulating influences.

intellectual vacuum

Highlights the emptiness or lack of intellectual content.

poverty of imagination

Highlights a limited or deficient capacity for creativity.

creative drought

Implies a prolonged period without any creative output.

barrenness of intellect

Emphasizes the unproductiveness and emptiness of the mind.

sterility of thought

Highlights the lack of fertility or newness in thinking.

impoverishment of thought

Indicates a depletion or reduction in the quality of thinking.

FAQs

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

You can use "absence of ideas" to describe a situation where there is a noticeable lack of creativity or strategic thinking, for example: "The project failed due to the absence of ideas during the brainstorming sessions."

What are some alternatives to "absence of ideas"?

You can use alternatives like "lack of innovation", "paucity of thought", or "intellectual vacuum" depending on the context.

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

Both "lack of ideas" and "absence of ideas" are correct, but "lack of ideas" is generally more common and less formal. "Absence of ideas" can sound more critical or analytical.

In what context should I use "absence of ideas" over "lack of ideas"?

"Absence of ideas" is suitable in formal or analytical contexts where you want to emphasize a critical deficiency. "Lack of ideas" is more appropriate for general or informal situations.