however in the absence of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however in the absence of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrasting idea or condition when something is not present or available. Example: "The project will proceed as planned; however, in the absence of sufficient funding, we may need to scale back our objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I wonder, however, in the absence of hard facts, who is served by this information?

The New York Times

It continues: "However, in the absence of peace, people will continue to flee.

The Guardian

However, in the absence of both SHH and Gli3 more digits appear than in the wildtype.

Nature

However, in the absence of alternatives, online courses remain an adequate option for an underserved population.

Harvard Business Review

However, in the absence of these incentives, denunciations are often motivated by personal resentments and grudges.

Columbia University

However, in the absence of a food source, cells stop dividing and multiplying.

The New York Times

However, in the absence of Cd this explanation is not possible.

Nature

However, in the absence of plug-ins, the proprietary browser companies have privately negotiated with Netflix to add DRM.

The Guardian - Tech

However, in the absence of feathers, it's hard to reject the possibility that they might have been there.

The Guardian

However, in the absence of agreement on how to define and measure reputational risk, it has been ignored.

Harvard Business Review

However, in the absence of meaningful reforms, ideas about full withdrawal began to be discussed in the 1990s.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "however in the absence of", ensure the contrasting statement clearly relates to the missing element. This helps maintain logical flow and clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "however in the absence of" when a partial presence exists. This phrase implies complete lack, so ensure the described element is genuinely missing, not just reduced or limited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however in the absence of" functions as an adverbial connector, introducing a contrast based on the non-existence or unavailability of something. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however in the absence of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial connector that introduces a contrasting idea based on the lack of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its correct and usable in various contexts. It is most prevalent in formal, scientific, and academic writing, where precision and clarity are paramount. While alternatives exist, "however in the absence of" is particularly effective when emphasizing the complete absence of a key element as a determining factor in a contrasting outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nevertheless without

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise alternative using 'nevertheless' to indicate contrast and 'without' to express the absence.

despite the lack of

Focuses on the contrast by directly stating 'despite the lack of'.

nonetheless lacking

Similar to the original, but uses 'lacking' to emphasize the deficiency.

however without the benefit of

Indicates that something is happening, but without the advantage or help that something else would provide.

yet without

A shorter version, using 'yet' to show contrast and 'without' to indicate absence.

even so lacking

Emphasizes the contrast with 'even so', while 'lacking' highlights the missing element.

conversely, if (something) is not present

This alternative is used to present an idea or statement that reverses one that has just been made or referred to. Also specify what you mean with (something).

notwithstanding the deficiency of

A more formal alternative that replaces 'absence' with 'deficiency' and uses 'notwithstanding' to introduce the contrast.

in contrast to the nonexistence of

This alternative uses the term "nonexistence" as a more absolute term, implying that the subject in question does not exist in any way.

in opposition to a shortage of

This version highlights a scarcity or inadequacy as the primary contrasting element, rather than a complete absence.

FAQs

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

This phrase introduces a contrasting idea when something is missing. For example: "The experiment continued as planned; however, in the absence of reagent X, the results were inconclusive."

What's a simpler way to express the same idea as "however in the absence of"?

You could use phrases like "nevertheless without" or "despite the lack of" for a more concise expression.

Is there a difference in formality between "however in the absence of" and its alternatives?

"However in the absence of" is relatively formal. Alternatives like "yet without" are less formal and may be more suitable for casual contexts.

When should I prefer "however in the absence of" over "despite the lack of"?

Use "however in the absence of" when you want to emphasize the complete absence of something as a condition for a contrasting outcome. "Despite the lack of" works better when highlighting a deficiency rather than a total absence.