clear lack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear lack" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the absence or deficiency of something in a straightforward manner. Example: "There is a clear lack of communication between the departments, which is affecting our overall productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This demonstrates a clear lack of understanding about science.

The Guardian

Mr. Paulson, by contrast, has projected a clear lack of interest in party politics.

The New York Times

"This action demonstrates a clear lack of will on the employers' part to reach an agreement".

The New York Times

The clear lack of leadership within the squad needs to be resolved.

The Guardian - Sport

"There has been a clear lack of strategy on the Brazilian side".

The New York Times

There is also a clear lack of local knowledge on the part of those dealing with intelligence.

The Guardian

However, despite a clear lack of milkshake, my nipples continuously bring all the boys to the yard.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On top of that, he's exhibiting a clear lack of respect, and not taking the game seriously.

The Guardian - Sport

Teams continued to throw at him, despite the clear lack of success, and Revis Island entered the sports lexicon.

The New York Times - Sports

"These claims demonstrate a clear lack of understanding of our long history of action on this matter," Osburn said.

The New York Times

Best of all was a clear lack of domination by the usual suspects — the Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari teams.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear lack" to directly and unambiguously point out the absence of something, especially when emphasizing a problem or deficiency. For example, "There is a "clear lack" of funding for this project, which is hindering its progress."

Common error

Avoid using "clear lack" in very informal or casual conversations, as it can sound overly formal or critical. In such situations, consider using simpler phrases like "not enough" or "missing" to convey the same meaning without sounding overly harsh or stiff.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear lack" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It highlights the deficiency or absence of something. Ludwig AI's examples show it often precedes a prepositional phrase clarifying what is lacking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clear lack" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a deficiency or absence of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It is best used to directly and unambiguously point out a problem, particularly in neutral to formal contexts like news reporting, scientific writing, or professional communication. While versatile, avoid overusing it in casual conversations. The phrase is found most often in "News & Media" and "Science" domains. Alternatives such as "evident absence", or "obvious deficiency" can be used for variety or to adjust the tone. When using "clear lack", ensure that the context warrants a direct and potentially critical statement. Overall, "clear lack" serves as a powerful tool for highlighting deficiencies when used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evident absence

Replaces "clear lack" with synonyms, maintaining the directness of the statement.

obvious deficiency

Substitutes "clear" with "obvious" and "lack" with "deficiency", providing a more formal tone.

noticeable shortage

Emphasizes the inadequacy using "noticeable" and "shortage", focusing on the quantitative aspect of the absence.

marked absence

Uses "marked" to highlight the significance of the absence, making it stand out.

distinct paucity

Employs "distinct" and "paucity" for a more sophisticated and formal expression of scarcity.

apparent deficit

Indicates that the lack is easily perceived and uses "deficit" to quantify the shortage.

glaring inadequacy

Highlights the insufficiency with "glaring", suggesting it is easily visible and problematic.

plain want

Offers a simple and direct alternative, using "plain" to emphasize the obviousness of the need.

readily apparent absence

Adds redundancy with "readily apparent" to further stress how easily the absence can be seen

unmistakable dearth

Replaces "lack" with "dearth", indicating scarcity, and "clear" with "unmistakable", signaling that the scarcity is beyond doubt

FAQs

How can I use "clear lack" in a sentence?

You can use "clear lack" to point out a deficiency or absence of something. For example, "There is a "clear lack" of communication within the team" or "The project failed due to a "clear lack" of planning."

What are some alternatives to "clear lack"?

Alternatives to "clear lack" include "evident absence", "obvious deficiency", or "noticeable shortage", depending on the specific context.

Is "clear lack" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "clear lack" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a direct and unambiguous way to point out a deficiency. However, in some contexts, synonyms like "distinct paucity" might be more suitable for a sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "clear lack" and "absence of"?

"Clear lack" emphasizes the obviousness of the deficiency, while "absence of" simply states that something is missing. For example, "There is a "clear lack" of leadership" highlights that the lack is evident, whereas "The absence of leadership" is a more neutral statement.