absence of inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absence of inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a lack of questioning or investigation into a particular matter. Example: "The report highlighted the absence of inquiry into the underlying issues that led to the failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clearly the absence of an inquiry into the Iraq war is politics at its worst – a system of government power and secrecy that allows senior foreign-policymakers to avoid true accountability for their actions.

The Guardian - Opinion

But as the shopping centre prepares to welcome its first shoppers on Saturday, some are critical of the decision to resume business while so much remains unknown – and in the absence of an inquiry promised by the Kenyan President.

Independent

The absence of systematic inquiry contrasts with Egyptian practical expertise in such fields as surveying, which was used both for orienting and planning buildings to remarkably fine tolerances and for the regular division of fields after the annual inundation of the Nile; the Egyptians also had surveyed and established the dimensions of their entire country by the beginning of the Middle Kingdom.

Britannica

I was almost as disappointed in your Nov. 20 editorial "No New Evidence" as I was in the absence of meaningful inquiry at the Judiciary committee impeachment hearings on Thursday, during which Republicans dispassionately encouraged Kenneth W. Starr and Democrats challenged his objectivity.

The New York Times

Others believe that clinicians do not want to address such issues, as evidenced by the absence of clinician inquiry or concern required to develop a meaningful dialog [ 14- 19].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

In the absence of any inquiries by a European regulator or any reliable source providing a figure of how many subprime loans have been purchased by foreigners, investors are being left in the hands of the financial institutions.

The New York Times

"Due to the absence of an independent inquiry, and the failure of the Saudi government, acknowledged by the Foreign Office, to publish its findings of its inquiry, it is time [for] the foreign secretary to publish details of what UK government officials have found about the Saudi bombing campaign.

The Guardian

In fact, the letter's absence of meaningful constitutional inquiry beyond baldfaced claims that Article II establishes a unitary executive gives the impression that these questions have gone unexamined.

The New York Times

The court has since provided no guidance on interpreting the privilege, and has never addressed how, in the absence of a criminal inquiry, to balance the president's needs against a desire by Congress simply to obtain information.

The New York Times

In the absence of a national inquiry, it's hard to know why so many aboriginal women in Canada have been murdered or gone missing.

Vice

Three problems seem immediately apparent: the portrayal of his actions in a manner that seems to betray the absence of any analytical inquiry; an overwhelming focus on his agency at the exclusion of structure, or vice versa, and an oversimplification of his interests as single, dominant or static.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "absence of inquiry", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific area or topic lacks investigation. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the "absence of inquiry" automatically implies wrongdoing. It may simply indicate a lack of resources, awareness, or perceived need for investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absence of inquiry" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of lacking investigation or questioning. Ludwig AI indicates that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absence of inquiry" effectively conveys the lack of investigation or questioning into a particular matter. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely used across various domains. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, its purpose is to highlight a deficiency and call attention to a gap in understanding. While similar to phrases like "lack of investigation", "absence of inquiry" maintains a slightly more formal tone. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify the area lacking inquiry to avoid ambiguity. Awareness of this term’s scope will help you prevent overreach in your assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of investigation

Focuses directly on the absence of a formal investigation.

no inquiry conducted

Highlights the action of not performing an inquiry.

absence of investigation

A more formal and direct synonym.

lack of questioning

Emphasizes the absence of asking questions.

failure to investigate

Points out the failure to carry out an investigation.

no probe initiated

Emphasizes the lack of initiation of a formal probe.

absence of scrutiny

Highlights the absence of careful and critical examination.

no examination undertaken

Focuses on the action of not undertaking an examination.

lack of due diligence

Highlights the absence of reasonable steps taken to avoid harm.

oversight

Indicates a failure to observe or notice something.

FAQs

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

You can use "absence of inquiry" to describe situations where there is a lack of investigation or questioning into a particular matter. For example, "The report highlighted the absence of inquiry into the underlying issues."

What phrases are similar to "absence of inquiry"?

Similar phrases include "lack of investigation", "failure to investigate", or "no inquiry conducted". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Lack of inquiry" and "absence of inquiry" are largely interchangeable. "Absence" is slightly more formal, while "lack" is more common in everyday language.

What does it mean when there is an "absence of inquiry"?

An "absence of inquiry" suggests that a situation or event has not been adequately investigated or examined. This can raise concerns about potential problems or unresolved issues.