absence of openness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absence of openness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or environment where transparency or honesty is lacking. Example: "The absence of openness in the organization led to mistrust among employees and management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mrs Smith is also not the prime minister – and it is not for the prime minister to tell the public and the press to zip it, particularly when the absence of openness and transparency lies at the heart of the problem presented by offshore tax havens.

The Guardian - Opinion

The absence of openness and the rule of law there has been a severe impediment to attempts to address the worsening public health conditions.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The absence of this openness is the closing of the future; without this openness, the future appears static and deterministic.

Johns Hopkins University

"The vehement insistence that the single best line of defense was to put armed guards in schools — and the absence of any openness to various suggestions for new gun control measures" dominated the event at a hotel not far from the White House, Jack wrote.

The New York Times

"What concerns me is the extent to which China's military modernization occurs in the absence of the kind of openness and transparency that others are certainly asking of China," he said.

The Washington Post

Megaesophagus is consequence of achalasia characterized by the destruction or lack of intramural nerve plexus, which determines the absence of peristalsis and lack of openness of the lower esophageal sphincter in response to swallowing.

BMC Gastroenterology

I met several of their leaders and was very positively surprised by their total absence of Orwellian "newspeak," their openness, their intellectual curiosity and eagerness to change things.

University of California, Berkeley

People who have worked with Jenkins and the Brownlees point out their similarities: the extreme dedication, the openness, the absence of ego.

The Guardian - Sport

Fourth, don't open for the sake of openness.

Forbes

On Ukraine, Russia would like to see openness, sincerity, the absence of double standards - because we've had a bit of that recently.

BBC

The spirit of openness did not extend to giving a reason for his absence, although even Ashley's harshest critics might struggle to accuse him of hiding.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive topics, clarify whether the "absence of openness" is intentional or unintentional to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

While "absence of openness" is grammatically sound, consider using stronger, more direct synonyms like "secrecy" or "lack of transparency" in formal contexts for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absence of openness" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state or condition where transparency, honesty, and accessibility are lacking. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples from various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absence of openness" describes a lack of transparency and honesty. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct. It is most frequently used in news media and academic contexts to highlight concerns about deficient communication or potential mistrust. While grammatically sound, consider using more direct synonyms like "secrecy" or "lack of transparency" for greater impact in formal writing. Be mindful of the connotations when using this phrase, as it often carries a negative judgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of transparency

Focuses specifically on the lack of clear and honest communication.

lack of transparency and candor

Emphasizes the lack of both honesty and frankness.

lack of sincerity

Highlights the absence of genuine feelings or beliefs.

lack of frankness

Indicates a lack of open and honest communication, especially about difficult matters.

secrecy

Implies intentional concealment of information.

concealment

Suggests deliberately keeping something hidden or secret.

covertness

Focuses on the secretive or hidden nature of actions or information.

evasiveness

Highlights the act of avoiding directness or clarity in communication.

guardedness

Implies a cautious or reserved approach to sharing information.

closed-off nature

Describes a general unwillingness to be open or communicative.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "absence of openness" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "lack of transparency", "secrecy", or "concealment" instead of "absence of openness".

What does "absence of openness" imply in a professional setting?

In a professional setting, "absence of openness" often implies a lack of trust, potential unethical behavior, or poor communication practices. Alternatives can be "lack of transparency" or "lack of frankness".

Is "absence of openness" the same as "lack of communication"?

While related, "absence of openness" focuses more on the withholding of information or sincerity, whereas "lack of communication" refers to the general failure to exchange information effectively. Consider alternatives like "evasiveness" or "guardedness" depending on the specific context.

What are the potential consequences of an "absence of openness" in a team?

An "absence of openness" can lead to mistrust, misunderstandings, decreased productivity, and a toxic work environment. If communication is not clear, use alternatives such as "lack of sincerity" or "closed-off nature".