absence of reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absence of reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a situation where no response has been received, often in the context of communication or correspondence. Example: "Due to the absence of reply from the client, we have decided to move forward with the project without their input."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Refusal rate in the sample, i.e. those subjects who refused to participate either verbally or by their absence of reply, was 27%%.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In absence of female reply males may perform the "call-fly" behavior [30], by alternating emissions of MCS with jumps from the plant [29].

Plosone

He complained (in print and at length) about the absence of a right of reply for the subjects of such memoirs).

The Guardian - Opinion

When Caleb complains that the test will be flawed because he can see that his subject is a robot, Nathan (who shows signs of having "gone native" in the absence of human company) replies that the real test is whether Ava can pass for human despite the knowledge that she is anything but.

The Guardian - Film

He famously -- and fatuously -- replied, "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence".

Huffington Post

Asked if he felt Warner had "a short fuse", Bailey - who is skippering the side in the absence of the injured Michael Clarke - replied "not at all".

BBC

Therefore, the criteria of reply for the question regarding the presence or absence of neck and shoulder pain may be different depending on the individual.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The loss to the taxpayer in terms of "negative liberty" (liberty understood as the mere absence of intentional coercion) is, so the reply continues, morally outweighed by this gain in terms of "positive liberty".

SEP

However, since we analyzed two different cell lines that were subjected to the same treatment to eliminate the mtDNA and that were maintained in culture using exactly the same growth medium and conditions, the genes selected by this analysis could be considered as a bona fide set of genes differentially expressed in reply to the absence of mtDNA.

Plosone

Mr Gibson replies Labour's absence of memory on this is unbelievable and argues local government funding is being increased in Scotland.

BBC

Absence of reply is represented by a dash -.

Chemistry Central Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if a more direct synonym such as "lack of response" might improve clarity and conciseness, especially in technical writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "absence of reply" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "no response" or "didn't answer" when speaking or writing informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absence of reply" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it’s considered grammatically correct. It describes the state of not receiving a response.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absence of reply" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the lack of a response. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While it's more common in formal and professional contexts, simpler alternatives like "lack of response" might be preferable in casual settings. The phrase appears across a variety of sources, including news, science, and business, indicating its widespread, but more formal, applicability. When using it, ensure the context clarifies the expected response and its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of response

Replaces "absence" with "lack", providing a more direct synonym.

no response received

Emphasizes the action of receiving, or not receiving, a response.

failure to respond

Highlights the failure to perform the action of responding.

unanswered communication

Focuses on the communication aspect and its lack of being answered.

no acknowledgment

Shifts the focus to the lack of acknowledging the initial communication.

silence on the matter

Uses "silence" metaphorically to represent the lack of response.

no feedback provided

Specific to situations where feedback is expected but not given.

lack of communication

Broadens the scope to any form of communication being absent.

no rejoinder

A more formal and less common term for a reply, particularly in debate or legal contexts.

non-responsiveness

A more formal and technical term emphasizing the lack of responsiveness.

FAQs

What does "absence of reply" mean?

The phrase "absence of reply" refers to a situation where someone has not responded or provided an answer to a question, request, or communication.

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

You can use alternatives like "lack of response", "no response received", or "failure to respond" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "absence of response" or "absence of reply"?

Both "absence of response" and "absence of reply" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. "Lack of response" might be a more direct alternative.

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

You can use "absence of reply" in a sentence like this: "The project was delayed due to the prolonged "absence of reply" from the stakeholders."