given the absence of

USAGE SUMMARY

"given the absence of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a condition or circumstance that is necessary for the rest of the sentence to make sense. Example: "Given the absence of any available evidence, the prosecution's case against the defendant fell apart in court."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Deals are enforced with brutal levels of violence given the absence of any resort to courts.

The Guardian

Animals were not screened for dengue virus antibody given the absence of local circulation in California.

Nature

But, given the absence of freedom of speech in China, we cannot know.

The New Yorker

They were presuming it given the absence of data that showed anything else.

University of California, Berkeley

Given the absence of information, there are not many other options.

Stanford University

Given the absence of prospective, well designed clinical trials, treatment of this entity is controversial.

Endocrinología y Nutrición

Given the absence of a written constitution, I doubt whether most people have the slightest idea what this means.

The Guardian - Opinion

Given the absence of official reporting on femicide, this number is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tom Steyer's stand against the Keystone XL pipeline is highly commendable, given the absence of leadership from our elected politicians.

The New Yorker

Furthermore, given the absence of blinding in the study (except for the assessor) we cannot rule out performance bias.

Nature

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, visiting India, said she would not "jump to any conclusions," given the absence of proof.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "given the absence of", ensure that the sentence clearly explains the consequence or result of the absence. This helps to maintain clarity and logical flow.

Common error

Avoid using "given the absence of" without clearly stating the implication of that absence. For example, don't just say "Given the absence of data..." without explaining what happens or what you're doing because of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given the absence of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a condition or circumstance. It sets the stage for an explanation or conclusion that is directly related to the lack of something. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is common across varied sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "given the absence of" is a versatile and frequently used prepositional phrase that sets a conditional context in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and serves to introduce a reason or explanation based on a lack of something. It's commonly found in formal writing such as science, news, and academic sources, where clarity and logical flow are paramount. To enhance your writing, ensure the sentence clearly states the consequence of the absence. Alternative phrases like "in the absence of" or "lacking" can be used for variety, but "given the absence of" remains a solid choice in many analytical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the absence of

This alternative is a direct synonym, simply rephrasing the original phrase.

for lack of

This alternative emphasizes the reason or cause being the absence of something.

due to the lack of

This alternative specifically highlights causation stemming from a deficiency.

lacking

This alternative uses a single word to convey the same meaning, offering a more concise option.

because there is no

This alternative is more explanatory and direct in stating the absence.

without

This alternative provides a shorter, more direct way to express the absence of something.

since there isn't

This alternative provides a causal reason for the situation, indicating an absence.

considering the nonexistence of

This alternative emphasizes the complete lack of something, highlighting its nonexistence.

in default of

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a failure or lack.

in the event of no

This alternative focuses on the conditional aspect introduced by the absence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "given the absence of" in a sentence?

Use "given the absence of" to introduce a situation that exists because something is lacking. For instance, "Given the absence of evidence, the court dismissed the case."

What phrases are similar to "given the absence of"?

Alternatives include "in the absence of", "lacking", or "without", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "due to the absence of" instead of "given the absence of"?

Yes, "due to the absence of" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning, emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship.

What is the difference between "given the absence of" and "despite the absence of"?

"Given the absence of" indicates that something follows logically from the lack of something else, while "despite the absence of" suggests that something occurs even though something is lacking. The former is causal, the latter concessive.