in absence of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in absence of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is lacking or not present. Example: In absence of a better solution, I decided to rely on my own experience.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fur, feathers and viscera fly in "Absence of God V..

The New York Times - Arts

Proteoliposome ELISA experiments were performed in absence of Tween 20.

Nature

Ezh1 contributes to zebrafish development in absence of ezh2.

Nature

In absence of ATP, the flukes form a closed conformation.

Cornell University

High conversion was obtained in absence of solvent.

Catalysis Today

Does the potential for technological leadership exist in absence of technological accomplishment?

The Guardian

In absence of universal solutions, clear typologies can provide heuristic tools and a menu of options.

Nature

Consequently, one can expect to detect the RONs at the MJ, even in absence of AMA1.

Nature

Therefore, in absence of SCL, functional cardiac and paraxial PDGFRα+ populations expand in day 3.5 EBs.

Nature

Previous studies have demonstrated de novo PARylation in absence of PARP1, albeit at much lower level10.

Nature

The first trace was collected in absence of stimulation for about 60 s (.SC.baseline).SC.baseline

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using simpler alternatives like "without" or "lacking" for conciseness, especially in informal contexts. While "in absence of" is correct, it can sometimes sound overly formal or verbose.

Common error

Avoid confusing "absence" (a noun referring to the state of being away) with "absent" (an adjective describing something that is not present). "In absence of" is the correct phrase, not "in absent of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in absence of" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing a condition or circumstance where something is lacking. Ludwig shows that it is used to set a stage for an event or condition, clarifying what is not present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in absence of" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate the lack of something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's prevalent in scientific, news, and academic contexts, although simpler alternatives like "without" or "lacking" might be preferable for conciseness. While its meaning is clear and consistent, it is important to avoid confusing "absence" with "absent". Ludwig's examples highlight the versatility of this phrase in expressing various conditions and circumstances where something is missing or not available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the absence of

Adds "the" for a slightly more formal tone, otherwise identical in meaning.

absent of

Shortens the phrase by removing "in", resulting in a slightly less formal tone.

without

Replaces the entire phrase with a single, more concise preposition. Simple substitution.

lacking

Uses a present participle to indicate the deficiency.

missing

Emphasizes the absence as a state of being.

devoid of

Adds a more formal and emphatic tone to the absence.

in default of

A more formal, and slightly archaic, alternative emphasizing a failure to provide something.

in default of

Highlights a failure or lack in providing something.

excluding

Focuses on the act of leaving something out, implying a deliberate exclusion.

without the presence of

A more descriptive alternative that explicitly states the non-existence of something.

FAQs

What does "in absence of" mean?

The phrase "in absence of" means without something, or due to the lack of something. It indicates that a particular condition, element, or factor is not present.

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

You can use "in absence of" to describe a situation where something is missing or lacking. For example, "In absence of evidence, the case was dismissed."

What are some simpler alternatives to "in absence of"?

Consider using alternatives like "without", "lacking", or "missing". For example, instead of saying "In absence of a better solution", you could say "Without a better solution".

Is it more correct to say "in absence of" or "in the absence of"?

Both "in absence of" and "in the absence of" are grammatically correct and widely used. Adding "the" doesn't significantly change the meaning, but makes it slightly more formal. It is a matter of style. You can also consider other alternatives like "without".