allude to the absence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allude to the absence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a suggestion or indirect reference regarding something that is missing or not present. Example: "In her speech, she chose to allude to the absence of support from the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

McCarron, who began the day No. 138 in the field of 142, raised his arms in the universal gesture of you-cannot-be-serious, and said, "C'mon, I'm from La Quinta, California!" When the laughter and applause died down, he alluded to the absence of a state income tax in Nevada, saying, "Reno's just for tax purposes".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a standing-room-only crowd," Gardner joked, alluding to the absence of seats for many of the 70 people who jammed into the overly warm room.

Los Angeles Times

Many of the works allude to the historical absence of African Americans and women from the verbal and visual canons.

Huffington Post

She is expected to allude to the incident.

The Washington Post

"Western" doesn't just allude to the American west.

The Guardian - Film

Its lyrics heavily allude to the tale.

Wikipedia

We also changed sentences in the main text that could allude to the old narrative.

eLife

These results allude to the fact that RARγ is likely to confer pro-tumorigenic activity.

Breast Cancer Research

Many papers allude to the importance of the multidisciplinary approach in cancer care.

Annals of Surgical Oncology

We also allude to the intricacies and challenges in the management of such a case.

F1000Research

Y. Mazurová et al. allude to the histopathological changes in the brain of transgenic HD rats.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "allude to the absence" when you want to subtly or indirectly mention that something is lacking, rather than stating it directly. This can be useful in formal writing or when you want to be tactful.

Common error

A common mistake is confusing "allude", meaning to refer indirectly, with "illusion", meaning a false perception. Ensure you are using the correct word based on your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allude to the absence" functions as a verb phrase that introduces a subtle or indirect reference to something that is not present or available. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, from political commentary to personal observations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "allude to the absence" is a grammatically correct way to subtly reference something missing, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's most commonly found in news and scientific writing, suggesting a formal or neutral tone. While not overly frequent, using this phrase can add a layer of sophistication to your writing, provided you don't confuse "allude" with "illusion". Alternatives like "hint at the lack" or "refer to the deficiency" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis and directness. Choose the phrase that best suits the context and your intended level of subtlety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hint at the lack

This alternative directly suggests a subtle indication of something missing.

refer to the deficiency

This phrase explicitly mentions a shortcoming or inadequacy.

suggest the void

This alternative uses a more metaphorical term to describe the absence.

imply the non-existence

This phrase focuses on the idea that something does not exist.

intimate the shortage

This option hints at an insufficient amount of something.

make an allusion to the missing element

This phrase is a more verbose way of saying "allude to the absence" using a different noun.

insinuate the unavailability

This suggests that something is not accessible or present.

obliquely reference the omission

This option emphasizes that something has been left out or excluded.

touch upon the state of being without

This is a more roundabout way to refer to something lacking.

point indirectly to the absence

This phrase is more explicit about the indirect nature of the reference.

FAQs

How can I use "allude to the absence" in a sentence?

You can use "allude to the absence" when you want to indirectly suggest that something is missing or not present. For example, "The report alluded to the absence of funding for the project."

What phrases are similar to "allude to the absence"?

Similar phrases include "hint at the lack", "refer to the deficiency", or "suggest the void". These all imply an indirect reference to something missing.

Is it better to use "allude to the absence" or state the absence directly?

The choice depends on the context. "Allude to the absence" is useful when you want to be subtle or tactful. Stating the absence directly is more appropriate when clarity and directness are needed.

What's the difference between "allude to the absence" and "mention the absence"?

"Allude to the absence" implies an indirect reference, while "mention the absence" suggests a more direct and explicit statement. One is subtle, the other is not.