complete lack of

USAGE SUMMARY

"complete lack of" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a total absence of something. For example: "The company suffered from a complete lack of resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Complete lack of interest".

The Guardian

There is a complete lack of information.

The New York Times

"There's a complete lack of transparency".

The New York Times

"We got a complete lack of interest".

The Guardian

"There was a complete lack of organization.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The complete lack of communication was unbelievable.

The Guardian

There is a complete lack of security.

The Washington Post

"It's very strange — this complete lack of intellect and complete lack of sensitivity.

The Guardian - Music

There's a complete lack of information from the company".

The Guardian

There is a complete lack of clarity here".

The Guardian

"It shows a complete lack of understanding of business.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complete lack of", ensure the noun following "of" is specific and clearly defines what is missing. For example, instead of "complete lack of something", specify "complete lack of funding".

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "complete lack of" can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "no" or "zero" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete lack of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the total absence or deficiency of the noun it precedes. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complete lack of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express the total absence of something. As Ludwig AI explains, it is most common in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, denoting emphasis and sometimes criticism. While versatile, it's best to use it judiciously in informal settings, opting for simpler alternatives when appropriate. When writing with "complete lack of" ensure the context provides the missing component.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete absence of

Adds "absence" and maintains the "complete" adjective.

entire absence of

Substitutes "total" for "entire", retaining similar meaning.

total absence of

Replaces "lack" with "absence", emphasizing the non-existence of something.

absolute absence of

Replaces "complete" with "absolute" to denote totality.

utter absence of

Adds "utter" to intensify the feeling of absence.

total deficiency in

Uses "deficiency" to highlight a shortage or inadequacy.

zero incidence of

Uses "incidence" to suggest no occurrences of something.

non-existence of

Emphasizes that something simply doesn't exist.

complete negation of

Focuses on the negation or reversal of something.

absence in its entirety

Rearranges the phrase to emphasize the comprehensive nature of the absence.

FAQs

How can I use "complete lack of" in a sentence?

Use "complete lack of" to emphasize the total absence of something. For instance: "There was a "complete lack of" evidence to support the claim."

What are some alternatives to "complete lack of"?

You can use alternatives such as "total absence of", "utter absence of", or "total deficiency in" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "complete lack of" or "total lack of"?

Both "complete lack of" and "total lack of" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on personal preference or stylistic context.

What's the difference between "lack of" and "complete lack of"?

"Lack of" implies a deficiency or shortage, while "complete lack of" emphasizes a total absence. The latter is stronger and more emphatic.