absence of progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absence of progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where no advancement or improvement has been made in a particular context. Example: "The team expressed their concerns about the absence of progress in the project, which has been stalled for several months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

In the absence of progress towards peace, that may be inevitable.

The Economist

In the absence of progress on denuclearization, the Trump administration is likely to focus on the war remains.

The Washington Post

In the absence of progress on the Doha round, Vietnam is seeking bilateral and regional trade deals.

The Economist

In the absence of progress, the Greek prime minister has turned personally to the woman who was once his greatest rival, the German chancellor Angela Merkel, for help.

The Guardian

In the absence of progress there is movement, literal movement, from the floor of the Senate to the Majority Leader's office.

The Guardian

Their bomb attacks are designed to show Sinn Fein's supporters that, in the absence of progress in the peace process in Northern Ireland, they should support violence.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Thus, if a happy mood is assumed to signal goal progress, the absence of difficulties or threats, and/or the presence of a benign situation, it would be adaptive to rely on more abstract identifications that maintain focus on long-term goals in such a mood.

Cognition and Emotion

And it should be prepared to restore sanctions in the absence of such progress.

The Guardian - Opinion

A postdated letter of resignation, to be put into effect in the absence of any progress on paramilitary disarmament, falls due on Friday.

The New York Times

Talk, we are told, is a poor substitute for action; all too often talk becomes an end in itself, masking the absence of real progress.

The New York Times

In the absence of real progress toward genuine democracy, Pakistan's policy toward Afghanistan could be a major source of domestic contention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "absence of progress", clarify what specific area lacks advancement to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While acceptable, "absence of progress" can sound clunky in very formal writing. Consider using more concise alternatives like "lack of progress" for smoother readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absence of progress" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the state of not moving forward or improving, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absence of progress" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes a situation where no advancement or improvement is being made. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reliable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, showing its wide applicability across news, science, and business contexts. While "absence of progress" is generally acceptable, considering more concise alternatives like "lack of progress" can enhance readability in certain formal settings. By understanding its function and register, writers can effectively use "absence of progress" to highlight areas needing attention and improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of advancement

This alternative emphasizes the absence of forward movement or development.

no improvement

Focuses specifically on the lack of betterment or enhancement.

lack of development

This alternative highlights the absence of growth or evolution.

lack of forward movement

This phrase directly states that there is no movement towards a goal.

failure to advance

This phrase highlights the failure to make progress or move forward.

no headway

This phrase is more informal and suggests a failure to make any forward movement.

no forward steps

This implies the absence of actions taken to advance or progress.

standstill

This term implies a complete halt to progress, with no movement whatsoever.

stagnation

Suggests a state of inactivity and lack of progress or development.

lack of momentum

Implies that there's no increasing of progression.

FAQs

What does "absence of progress" mean?

The phrase "absence of progress" refers to a situation where there is no advancement, improvement, or development in a particular area or activity.

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

You can use it to describe a lack of advancement, such as: "The report highlighted the "absence of progress" in reducing poverty rates."

Which is more common, "absence of progress" or "lack of progress"?

While both are correct, "lack of progress" is generally more common and may sound more natural in some contexts. However, "absence of progress" is still widely used and understood.

What are some alternatives to "absence of progress"?

You can use alternatives like "lack of advancement", "no headway", or "standstill" depending on the context.