absence of words

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absence of words" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a lack of verbal communication or expression. Example: "In the absence of words, their silence spoke volumes about their feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Is silence the absence of words?

The New York Times - Books

The absence of words gives young children an opportunity to make up a story of their own.

Britannica

"Children (especially) tend to make very narrow relevance judgments by considering the presence or absence of words exactly describing the search topic.

The Guardian

The absence of words like "Afghanistan" from year-end lists reflects both the national news media's scant coverage of the war and the public's disengagement with it.

The New York Times

The absence of color, like the absence of words, reminds us that these photographs are works of imagination as much as of observation as if the aim is not to record what the photographer sees but how he remembers it.

The New Yorker

The absence of color, like the absence of words, reminds us that these photographs are works of imagination as much as of observation — as if the aim is not to record what the photographer sees but how he remembers it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The absence of word dividers could lead to different divisions of the consonants.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the absence of word from the company itself, rumors are flying among artists -- rumors that the sales clerks have heard over and over, rumors that even the Canal Street store itself is in danger.

The New York Times

In the absence of word shift graphs, or similar devices, explanations of sentiment trends can and often will miss crucial information.

EPJ Data Science

The wide semantic range combined with the absence of word-classes in the Indo-European sense means that characters can appear in various syntactical positions.

Lingua Sinica

Most scribal errors in them were corrected at an early stage, and despite the usual obstacles to be encountered in texts on papyrus, (such as the absence of word-breaks and of a standard, comprehensive system of punctuation, and the arrangement of text continuously, in columns, rather than by chapters or sections), the result is a clean and intelligible text where it can be read.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absence of words" when you want to emphasize the lack of verbal communication as a deliberate choice or a significant factor in a situation, rather than simply noting that someone is not speaking.

Common error

Be careful not to assume that "absence of words" always indicates a lack of communication. Nonverbal cues, such as body language, can still convey meaning even when there are no words spoken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absence of words" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig indicates that it is a valid and usable phrase in English. For example, "The absence of words suggests that Mr. Docter...are looking back to the silent era".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absence of words" is a grammatically sound and usable noun phrase that effectively highlights the lack of verbal communication. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is perfectly correct. It's prevalent in contexts like News & Media and Science, with a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, consider the connotations of intentional silence or the importance of nonverbal communication. While alternatives like "lack of verbal communication" or "silence" exist, "absence of words" carries a nuanced implication of deliberate or meaningful silence. Avoid assuming that silence equates to a complete absence of communication, as nonverbal cues remain significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of verbal communication

Focuses on the communication aspect rather than just the presence of words.

nonverbal communication

Highlights communication without words, often through body language or expressions.

speechlessness

Refers to the state of being unable to speak, often due to shock or emotion.

silence

Emphasizes the absence of sound, which includes words.

verbal void

Uses 'void' to emphasize emptiness and lack of verbal content.

paucity of language

Highlights the scarcity of language used.

mute expression

Emphasizes expression that is conveyed without spoken language.

taciturnity

Describes a habitual disinclination to talk.

unspoken thoughts

Refers to thoughts that are not expressed verbally.

literary silence

Implies a deliberate lack of textual explanation in artistic work, leaving space for interpretation.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The tension was palpable in the absence of words", or "The film conveyed its message through the absence of words, relying on visual storytelling".

What does "absence of words" imply?

It often implies a deliberate choice to remain silent, or a situation where verbal communication is impossible or unnecessary. It can also suggest a deeper meaning conveyed through nonverbal cues.

Is it better to use "lack of words" or "absence of words"?

Both phrases are correct, but "absence of words" often carries a stronger connotation of intentional silence or a meaningful lack of verbal communication, while "lack of words" is more neutral.

Can the "absence of words" still be a form of communication?

Yes, absolutely. Nonverbal cues, body language, and even the setting can all contribute to communication in the "absence of words". The meaning conveyed can be powerful and profound.