in default of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in default of" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used to mean "in the absence of" or "if someone/something fails to do something." Example sentence: In default of payment by the end of the month, the company will take legal action.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Trump warned officials at the RNC they would be "in default of their pledge" if they didn't step in and tell Cruz to play nice with him.

Huffington Post

Music carries us to God in default of truth".

The New Yorker

Without the action, the airline would have been in default of its loan package.

The New York Times

Price & Co. had only a lien which could be enforced in default of payment.

Cornell University

He says Univision is in default of a five-year contract.

Independent

Some bondholders rejected the offer, leaving Argentina in default of $26 billion and unable to issue debt abroad.

The New York Times

There was no principle against succession by daughters in default of sons in England, Scandinavia, and Angevin Naples (1265 1442).

Britannica

The letter suggests he has been withholding payments and that he is in default of his agreement.

Independent

Mr. Brown said such moves were meant to hide that Adelphia was in default of borrowing restrictions in lending agreements with banks and bondholders.

The New York Times

A five-page filing at the Santa Barbara County Recorder's Office said, "You are in default of a deed of trust," Reuters reported, citing FoxNews.com.

The New York Times - Arts

What happened was that this guy went on the run, he was basically in default of court, and he wanted to hide out with me in California.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in default of", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what action will be taken or what consequence will occur if the specified condition is not met. This makes the sentence more informative and actionable.

Common error

Avoid using "in default of" when you simply mean "because of". This phrase implies a specific condition and a resulting action or state, not just a general cause-and-effect relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in default of" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing a condition that, if unmet, leads to a specific consequence. It sets up a scenario where the absence or failure of something triggers an alternative action or outcome. Ludwig examples showcase this conditional usage in legal and contractual contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

23%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in default of" is a formal prepositional phrase used to express a conditional relationship, indicating what will happen if something is not done or available. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in legal, business, and academic contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase conveys a clear conditionality, making it essential to ensure the sentence highlights the resulting action or consequence. Remember to use it appropriately to emphasize the conditional nature of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the absence of

Directly indicates the lack or non-existence of something.

on failure of

Highlights the failure of something as the key condition.

in the event of the absence of

More formal and explicit about the condition of absence.

if there is no

Indicates a conditional situation based on the absence of something.

failing the availability of

Emphasizes the lack of availability as the primary condition.

should there be no

Expresses a hypothetical situation where something does not exist.

for want of

Highlights a lack or deficiency as the cause.

lacking

A more concise way to express the absence of something.

without

Simple and direct, indicating the absence of something.

in lieu of

Indicates that something is being offered or used as a substitute because the original thing is absent or not available.

FAQs

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

Use "in default of" to indicate what happens if something is not available or if someone fails to do something. For example, "In default of payment, legal action will be taken."

What can I say instead of "in default of"?

You can use alternatives like "in the absence of", "failing the availability of", or "for want of" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "in default of" and "because of"?

"In default of" implies a conditional situation where a specific action or state results from the absence or failure of something, whereas "because of" simply indicates a cause-and-effect relationship without the conditional aspect.

Is "in default of" formal or informal language?

"In default of" leans towards formal usage and is often found in legal, business, or academic contexts. Consider more informal options like "without" or "lacking" for casual communication.