in the absence of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the absence of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate the lack of something or to provide an explanation for why something isn't present. Example sentence: In the absence of a clear solution, the team had to make a tough decision.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the absence of other N.Y.

The New Yorker

In the Absence of Spring......

The New York Times

In the absence of confirmation discretion ruled.

The Guardian

In the absence of freedom, everything.

The New Yorker

In the absence of cod, Mr. St.

The New York Times - Food

All of this, amazingly, occurred in the absence of diagnosis.

The New York Times - Books

The rumors flourish in the absence of much official information.

The New York Times

"People fear the worst in the absence of information".

The Guardian

Other subjects suffer in the absence of the arts.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the absence of helmets, they wore cowboy hats.

The New Yorker

And, in the absence of good, there is only evil.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the absence of", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what consequences arise from the missing element or condition. For example: "In the absence of sunlight, plants cannot perform photosynthesis."

Common error

Avoid using "in the absence of" in informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "without" or "lacking" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal phrases can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the absence of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It modifies a noun or clause, indicating a condition or state resulting from something not being present. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, emphasizing the conditional aspect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Opinion

3%

Books

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the absence of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate a condition resulting from something's lack, with examples found in Ludwig. The Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, notably in news, science, and formal writing. While effective, it's important to consider simpler alternatives like "without" in less formal settings. Remember that clarity is key when deploying this phrase, ensuring the reader understands the consequences of the missing element.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without

A simpler preposition indicating the exclusion or lack of something.

lacking

This single-word alternative is more concise but may not always fit the formal tone.

not having

A more direct and simple way to express the lack of something.

missing

Describes the state of something not being present or available.

due to the lack of

Emphasizes the causal relationship between the absence and a resulting condition.

devoid of

Implies a complete lack of something, often used in a more descriptive or literary context.

without access to

Focuses on the inability to obtain or use something.

in default of

More formal and legalistic, suggesting a failure to fulfill an obligation or requirement.

in default of

This phrase is used in legal or formal contexts to indicate what happens when something is not done or present.

for want of

An older, somewhat archaic phrase indicating a lack or deficiency.

FAQs

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

Use "in the absence of" to indicate what happens or what is true when something is not present. For example, "In the absence of evidence, the case was dismissed."

What phrases are similar to "in the absence of"?

Alternatives include "without", "lacking", or "missing". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it always necessary to use "in the absence of", or are there simpler options?

While grammatically correct, "in the absence of" can sometimes be replaced with a simpler preposition like "without". Choose the option that best suits the tone and clarity of your writing.

What's the difference between "in the absence of" and "due to the absence of"?

"In the absence of" simply states a condition, while "due to the absence of" implies a causal relationship. Use "due to the absence of" when you want to emphasize that the lack of something is the direct cause of a particular outcome.