complete absence

USAGE SUMMARY

"complete absence" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something is gone entirely or is completely missing. For example, "The complete absence of light in the room made it almost impossible to see."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A complete absence of Isis.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The complete absence of colour, personality, distinction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its complete absence of "moral leadership".

The Guardian

There was an almost complete absence of possessions.

The New Yorker

People with a complete absence of self-restraint".

The Guardian - Opinion

The first is the complete absence of concrete news.

The Guardian - Tech

His complete absence of snobbery, cultural or otherwise.

The Guardian - Film

("Enemy Women" affects a complete absence of quotation marks).

The New York Times - Books

Now let's consider Intel's complete absence from the mobile scene.

The Guardian - Tech

Her performance is winning for its complete absence of narcissism.

The New York Times

Most species grow only in the complete absence of oxygen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complete absence", ensure the context clearly indicates what is entirely missing. Be specific to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "There was a complete absence", specify "There was a complete absence of evidence."

Common error

Avoid using "complete absence" when something is only partially missing or diminished. Using a less absolute phrase like "significant reduction" or "partial lack" may be more accurate and prevent overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete absence" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to denote the total lack of something. The examples showcase its versatility in describing a range of missing elements, from abstract concepts like 'moral responsibility' to concrete things like 'light'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complete absence" is a grammatically sound and versatile noun phrase used to emphasize the total lack of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, as well as scientific and encyclopedia sources. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, its emphatic nature makes it crucial to use it accurately, avoiding overstatement in situations where something is only partially missing. When writing, specify what exactly is entirely missing to prevent vagueness, making it a useful and descriptive phrase in one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total lack

Replaces "absence" with "lack", emphasizing a deficiency.

entirely missing

Shifts from a noun phrase to a participial phrase, emphasizing the state of being absent.

absolute void

Replaces "absence" with "void", suggesting emptiness.

utter deficiency

Substitutes both words for stronger synonyms, implying a severe shortage.

complete want

Uses "want" to denote a lack or need, differing in word choice.

full nonexistence

Rephrases "absence" as "nonexistence", focusing on the absence of being.

entire negation

Employs "negation" for a more formal and emphatic expression of absence.

virtually nonexistent

Adds "virtually" to soften the claim, indicating near absence.

thorough privation

Uses "privation" to imply a state of being deprived of something.

scarcity without exception

Replaces with a focus on scarcity that is universally true.

FAQs

How can I use "complete absence" in a sentence?

You can use "complete absence" to describe the total lack of something, for example: "The investigation revealed a "complete absence" of evidence linking the suspect to the crime."

What are some alternatives to "complete absence"?

Alternatives include phrases like "total lack", "utter deficiency", or "absolute void", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "complete absence"?

While "absence" inherently implies a lack, using "complete" emphasizes the totality of the missing element. It's not always redundant, but consider whether the emphasis is necessary for clarity.

How does "complete absence" differ from "partial absence"?

"Complete absence" indicates that something is entirely missing, while "partial absence" suggests that some portion of it remains. The choice depends on the precise degree of lack you wish to express.