absence of power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absence of power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a lack of authority, control, or energy in a particular context. Example: "The absence of power in the negotiations led to a stalemate between the two parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

He easily leads the major leagues with his absence of power.

The New York Times - Sports

Their power is their allure, which, looked at another way, is the absence of power.

The New Yorker

Allure is not power, Lepore insists, but "the absence of power".

The Guardian - Books

The absence of power lines, or signs saying "No Sunday Sales," signaled that a neighborhood was Amish.

The New York Times - Travel

We have cases of premature babies dying in hospitals due to the absence of power for the incubators.

The Guardian

The plate discipline was encouraging, the absence of power less so for a player who hit 32 homers last season.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"The disorderly collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008 provided a sharp and painful lesson of the costs to the financial system and the global economy of the absence of powers and tools for dealing with the failure" of an important bank, the Financial Stability Board said Tuesday in a report.

The New York Times

Realists since Thucydides have asserted "that states expand in the absence of countervailing power; unbalanced power will act without moderation, and states not subject to external restraint tend to observe few limits on their behavior".

Huffington Post

Its reputation, a key element of its strategy to develop soft power in the absence of hard power, is at risk.

Huffington Post

But as we found in our book on the economy of the latter 1990's, in the absence of union power, there is another force that can help to re-link growth and wages: truly tight labor markets.

The New York Times

According to Microsoft, not only does no such proof of its power exist, but record evidence demonstrates the absence of monopoly power.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing political or social dynamics, use "absence of power" to precisely denote a situation where a person, group, or institution lacks the capacity to influence events or decisions.

Common error

Avoid using "absence of power" when "lack of effort" or "negligence" is more appropriate. The phrase specifically refers to the state of not having power, not the failure to use existing power.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absence of power" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the state of lacking authority, control, or influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absence of power" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote the state of lacking influence, control, or authority. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It finds applications across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic content. While phrases like "lack of influence" or "powerlessness" can serve as alternatives, the choice depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a deficiency of power rather than a failure to utilize existing power, and that the surrounding vocabulary aligns with the intended level of formality. Always aim to use it in contexts where a true lack of power is the core issue being addressed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

powerlessness

Directly states the condition of having no power.

lack of influence

Focuses on the inability to affect outcomes or decisions.

lack of authority

Highlights the absence of legitimate control or command.

inability to control

Emphasizes the lack of capacity to manage or direct a situation.

inability to exert influence

Highlights the lack of capability to use one's influence effectively.

want of control

Formal way to denote not having control.

devoid of control

Emphasizes the complete lack of control in a situation.

deficiency of strength

Emphasizes the lack of physical or metaphorical force.

impotence

Suggests a state of helplessness or ineffectiveness.

lack of empowerment

Focuses on the state of not being given power or authority.

FAQs

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

You can use "absence of power" to describe situations where there is a lack of authority, control, or energy. For example: "The "lack of influence" in the negotiations led to a stalemate".

What's the difference between "absence of power" and "powerlessness"?

"Absence of power" is a general term indicating a lack of authority or control, while "powerlessness" often implies a feeling of helplessness or inability to affect one's circumstances.

What can I say instead of "absence of power"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "lack of influence", "lack of authority", or "inability to control".

Is "absence of power" formal or informal?

"Absence of power" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.