hitherto absent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hitherto absent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been present or available up to this point in time. Example: "The research revealed a hitherto absent species that had evaded discovery for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Yet her poems also display a hitherto absent recognition of the enemy's bonds to the land.

The Guardian

In December an Israeli tank was struck from Gaza by a Russian-made, laser-guided Kornet missile, a sophisticated weapon used to great effect by Hizbullah, but hitherto absent from Gaza.Israel itself has long been superior in weaponry and manpower.

The Economist

Indeed it is something of a shame that certain elements of society have only recently woken up to the possibility that the police might not be the faultless, justice-dispensing force of establishment myth, and only because - in the cases of De Menezes and Tomlinson - they have seen it with their own eyes, or at least enough of it to provoke a suspicion that was hitherto absent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Long fascinated by Uncle Jack's hitherto absent black sheep brother, she is predisposed to fall for Algernon in his role of Ernest (a name she, like Gwendolen, is apparently particularly fond of).

Wikipedia

Importantly, human related activities are contributing to increase the impact of vector-borne diseases by increasing vector density (e.g. irrigation, urbanization, dam construction) or by introducing pathogens into areas in which they had been hitherto absent [2].

Plosone

Although several groups have reported on the use of TU/ml or pg p24/ml to normalize vector transduction experiments [ 16, 17], a careful side-by-side analysis was hitherto absent.

BMC Biotechnology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Suddenly, Lindsay experienced something that had hitherto been entirely absent from the match - a tiny smidgen of pressure.

The Guardian - Sport

Which means putting common humanity before borders, and sharing funding and responsibility in ways that have hitherto been mostly absent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their appearance afforded the opportunity for some genuine parliamentary-style exchanges and debate, which hitherto had been absent.

The New Yorker

Work has been done here and this Coupé version has a flow over fast, bumpy roads absent hitherto.

Independent

The puzzle here is how our other universities came to be competitive anyway, with the values of efficiency so plainly absent from their ethos hitherto.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hitherto absent" to add a touch of formality and historical perspective when describing something that was previously not present. It is particularly effective in academic writing or formal reports.

Common error

Avoid using "hitherto absent" in casual conversation or informal writing. The formality of the phrase can sound stilted or unnatural in everyday contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "previously missing" or "until now absent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hitherto absent" functions as an adjective phrase, where 'hitherto' modifies 'absent'. It describes a state of being that has not existed until the present time. Ludwig AI indicates it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hitherto absent" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to denote something that was not present until now. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is most frequently found in formal writing, specifically in News & Media and Science domains, carrying a formal tone. While it effectively conveys novelty or previous lack, be mindful of its register and consider simpler alternatives like "previously missing" in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Heretofore absent

A synonym with similar formality, but less common usage.

Hitherto unseen

Shares the same meaning, focuses in something that has never been seen.

Previously lacking

Emphasizes the absence or deficiency of something in the past.

Formerly missing

Highlights that something was absent in the past but may now be present.

Absent until now

More direct and less formal phrasing.

Until now, not present

More literal and less idiomatic than the original.

Prior to this, missing

Highlights the temporal aspect of the absence.

Unseen until now

Focuses on the lack of visibility before the present.

Previously non-existent

Focuses on the thing never existing before the present moment.

Up until now, not seen

Emphasizes the lack of visibility or recognition.

FAQs

How can I use "hitherto absent" in a sentence?

You can use "hitherto absent" to describe something that has not been present or available up to the current time. For example, "The study revealed a "hitherto absent" element in the soil composition."

What can I say instead of "hitherto absent"?

Alternatives to "hitherto absent" include "previously missing", "formerly absent", or "until now absent", depending on the context.

Is "hitherto absent" formal or informal?

"Hitherto absent" is considered a formal phrase. In more casual contexts, it's better to use "previously absent" or "before now missing".

What's the difference between "hitherto absent" and "previously absent"?

While both phrases convey the meaning of something not being present before, "hitherto absent" carries a more formal and somewhat archaic tone compared to "previously absent".