absence of mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absence of mind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of forgetfulness or distraction, often when someone is preoccupied with other thoughts. Example: "During the meeting, her absence of mind led her to forget the key points she wanted to discuss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Absence of Mind, by Marilynne Robinson (Yale; $24).

The New Yorker

I'm enjoying  arguing and agreeing with Marilynne Robinson's Absence of Mind (Yale).

The Guardian - Books

This is all happening in a fit of absence of mind.

The Guardian

It would seem, in hindsight, to have been another fit of absence of mind.

The Guardian

This is an edited extract from Marilynne Robinson's Absence of Mind (Yale).

The Guardian - Books

Likewise it is easy to see now that immigration was a crisis acquired in a fit of absence of mind.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Till that moment, she'd been operating in a sort of fog, acting on the hazy excited intuition of what felt good and of the merciful absence of her mind.

The New Yorker

In the absence of Jedi mind tricks, there's nothing like rolling out Darth Vader to bring the fan base back on side, and the new issue of Entertainment Weekly also goes into detail about the band of rebel grunts whose mission in the movie is to steal the plans to the first Death Star.

The Guardian - Film

In the absence of MinC, MinD or MinJ, components of the cytokinetic ring, including FtsA, FtsL and PBP-2B, remain associated with the young poles.

Plosone

This exclusion of protamine from the outer bacterial surface by Ca++ or Mg++ would explain the absence of significant MinD period lengthening by protamine in the presence of 20 mM Ca++ or Mg++.

Plosone

In the absence of indole, MinD oscillated between the cell poles with a period of approximately 20 s.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "absence of mind", ensure the context clearly indicates whether it refers to simple forgetfulness or a more significant lack of awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "absence of mind" to describe severe cognitive impairment; it is best suited for everyday forgetfulness or inattentiveness rather than clinical conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absence of mind" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples showcase it describing a state or condition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absence of mind" is a grammatically sound noun phrase denoting a state of forgetfulness or inattentiveness. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, it is suitable for describing everyday situations rather than severe cognitive issues. While "absence of mind" may not be overly common, it finds usage in a variety of contexts, including News & Media and Science articles. Alternatives such as "absent-mindedness" or "forgetfulness" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis. When crafting content, be mindful of the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absent-mindedness

A state of being habitually forgetful or inattentive.

forgetfulness

Emphasizes the inability to remember things.

inattentiveness

Highlights a lack of attention to surroundings or tasks.

distraction

Focuses on being diverted from the primary focus.

preoccupation

Implies being absorbed in one's own thoughts.

lack of focus

Directly states the inability to concentrate.

mental wandering

Suggests the mind drifting from one thought to another.

failure to concentrate

Highlights the inability to maintain focus

daydreaming

Refers to being lost in pleasant thoughts.

scatterbrain

Informal term for someone disorganized and forgetful.

FAQs

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

You can use "absence of mind" to describe someone who is forgetful or inattentive. For example, "His "absence of mind" caused him to leave his keys at home."

What is a synonym for "absence of mind"?

A synonym for "absence of mind" is "absent-mindedness". Both terms refer to a state of being forgetful or inattentive.

Is "absence of mind" a formal or informal term?

"Absence of mind" is generally considered a neutral term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal writing might favor "inattentiveness".

What's the difference between "absence of mind" and "lack of concentration"?

"Absence of mind" suggests a general state of forgetfulness, while "lack of concentration" specifically refers to the inability to focus on a particular task or thought. You might experience "lack of concentration" without general "absence of mind", and vice versa.