glaring absence

USAGE SUMMARY

"glaring absence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that should be there or observable but is not. For example: "The glaring absence of any evidence was the central mystery of the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And yet, at the heart of this film, there remains a glaring absence.

The Guardian

There is – officially, at least – one glaring absence from the presidential committee's discussions.

The Guardian

As its title implies, the show begins without its star, whose glaring absence his stooges and stage managers must frantically cover.

The Guardian

I'd heard many stories of New Yorkers relocating to Los Angeles, only to bemoan the inferior bagels, early bar curfews and glaring absence of public transportation.

The New York Times

Martin O'Neill, the Sunderland manager, will do all he can to address the one glaring absence on his CV as he heads into his latest FA Cup campaign.

Independent

This special group of players, who have already ensured the most successful era in the history of a club who have underachieved for long periods, have one glaring absence from their collective CV – a Challenge Cup final win at Wembley.

The Guardian - Sport

And as the Labor Party meets in this misty seaside town this week for its annual conference, Mr. Blair — the dominant force in British politics for the last decade — is noticeable only by his glaring absence.

The New York Times

You'll notice one glaring absence: Facebook.

TechCrunch

Their blanket ban on publicly supporting charities meant a glaring absence of red ribbons across all their channels.

Vice

(A glaring absence on this mix is Run the Jewels, the acclaimed hip-hop duo of Killer Mike and El-P that meshes with the mix's title nicely).

Los Angeles Times

How could the Jewish Jesus be so obvious to scholars and even lay people, yet art historians, curators, and critics ignore the glaring absence of Jesus' Jewish identity in Renaissance artworks.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "glaring absence" when you want to emphasize not just the lack of something, but also how obvious and problematic that lack is. It is particularly effective when the missing element is expected or necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "glaring absence" when a simple "absence" or "lack" will suffice. The word "glaring" adds a layer of criticism or concern that may not always be appropriate. Be mindful of the tone you want to convey and choose the word that best fits the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "glaring absence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, it describes something noticeably missing. For example, in "There is also a glaring absence of rhythm and cadence in the language", the phrase functions as the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "glaring absence" is a common phrase used to emphasize a significant and noticeable lack. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, media, and scientific contexts. While it can be used in various settings, it's crucial to be aware of the critical tone it carries. Consider alternatives like "noticeable lack" or "conspicuous omission" when a more neutral tone is desired. Overusing this phrase in overly neutral contexts can be misleading, therefore it is better to be intentional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conspicuous omission

This alternative suggests a deliberate act of leaving something out, which might not always be the case with a "glaring absence".

noticeable lack

This phrase is more neutral and less judgmental than "glaring absence", simply pointing out that something is missing.

evident deficiency

This is more formal and emphasizes the inadequacy or incompleteness caused by the absence.

obvious void

This alternative evokes a sense of emptiness and incompleteness, emphasizing what is missing.

palpable shortage

Suggests a scarcity that is easily perceived, usually of something concrete.

striking deficit

Highlights the insufficiency, often in a quantifiable sense, like a budget deficit.

marked unavailability

Focuses on the state of something not being available or accessible.

clear-cut nonexistence

This stresses that something is definitely not present.

distinct want

This alternative underlines a clear and recognizable need or lack.

patent inadequacy

This highlights that something is clearly not good enough or sufficient.

FAQs

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

You can use "glaring absence" to point out something significant that is missing or lacking in a particular situation. For example, "The "glaring absence of evidence" made it difficult to solve the case."

What's a good alternative to "glaring absence"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "conspicuous omission", "noticeable lack", or "evident deficiency".

Is "glaring absence" formal or informal?

"Glaring absence" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more common in news and media or professional settings where the impact of the absence needs to be emphasized.

What does "glaring absence" imply beyond a simple absence?

"Glaring absence" suggests that the missing element is not only absent but also conspicuously so, creating a noticeable problem or deficiency. It implies that the absence is significant and hard to ignore.