lack of complicity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of complicity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is not involved or implicated in wrongdoing or unethical behavior. Example: "The investigation revealed a lack of complicity among the employees, indicating that no one was aware of the fraudulent activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That deliberation might have revealed Iraq's lack of complicity with Al Qaeda and the nonexistence of the country's alleged cache of nuclear weapons.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Let us not confuse a lack of progress with official complicity.Jonathan TaylorLondonDissent on communismSIR – Although ostensibly fair, your obituary of Alexander Zinoviev suffers from a misunderstanding of a good deal of dissident literature from the Soviet Union and other so-called communist countries (May 20th).

The Economist

"We fear that there is a process here which lacks good intentions, a form of complicity between the enemies of yesterday, at the expense of democracy and the people," says Abdessalam Ali Rachedi, an FFS member of parliament.

The Economist

Now my lack of fighting spirit sees me accused of complicity in mass death.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Be it from negligence, lack of training, lack of trust, complicity, these acts cannot be permitted and they are being investigated absolutely rigorously," Mr. Calderón said.

The New York Times

But the prosecutor in effect cleared him of direct complicity, citing a lack of evidence.

The New York Times

Even if Assad's lack of compassion doesn't demonstrate his complicity in the atrocities, it says a great deal about the character of his regime.

The New Yorker

Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Bush administration has cast its lot with General Musharraf despite deep misgivings, and what many officials say is a lack of full knowledge about Pakistan's complicity with terrorism and nuclear proliferation past and present.

The New York Times

But it was the lack of action by administrators, and what must be seen as a culture of complicity at the school, that led them to file a Title IX complaint against UNC.

Huffington Post

Roland Jacquard, head of the International Observatory on Terrorism in Paris, said prosecutors had encountered similar difficulties in countries like Germany, where people accused of complicity in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States were acquitted for lack of evidence.

The New York Times

The Sudanese government was suspected of complicity.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lack of complicity" when you want to emphasize the absence of involvement in a questionable or unethical activity. It's more specific than simply saying someone is innocent.

Common error

Be careful not to use "lack of complicity" when you mean "lack of cooperation". Complicity implies involvement in wrongdoing, while cooperation simply refers to working together.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of complicity" functions as a noun phrase, specifically indicating the absence of involvement in a wrongful or illegal act. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. One of the examples includes the phrase 'Iraq's "lack of complicity" with Al Qaeda'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lack of complicity" denotes the absence of involvement in wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not very frequent, it's appropriate when you need to be specific about someone's non-involvement in unethical or illegal activities. As Ludwig shows, while the most common contexts are related to news, it is very important to understand the subtle differences between "lack of complicity" and similar phrases like "absence of involvement". The phrase suggests that there was an expectation of involvement, but it did not happen. Its accurate usage can give your writing clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of culpability

Directly addresses the absence of blameworthiness or guilt.

absence of involvement

Focuses on the state of not being involved, without necessarily implying wrongdoing.

non-involvement in wrongdoing

Specifically highlights the absence of participation in unethical or illegal actions.

lack of collusion

Highlights the absence of secret cooperation or conspiracy.

innocence

Implies a state of being free from guilt or responsibility for a particular act.

not an accomplice

Stresses that the person is not an associate in a crime.

exoneration

Refers to being cleared of blame or responsibility, often after an investigation.

freedom from implication

Emphasizes the state of not being connected to or affected by a negative situation or action.

no part in

Indicates a complete absence of participation or involvement.

unimplicated

Describes someone who is not involved or connected to a particular situation or event.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of complicity" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of complicity" to describe a situation where someone is not involved in wrongdoing. For example, "The investigation revealed a "lack of complicity" among the staff."

What's a formal alternative to "lack of complicity"?

A formal alternative to "lack of complicity" is "absence of involvement", especially in contexts where wrongdoing is suspected.

Is "lack of complicity" the same as innocence?

While related, "lack of complicity" specifically refers to not being involved in a wrongful act, while "innocence" is a broader term meaning freedom from guilt or wrongdoing.

What does it mean to accuse someone of "complicity"?

Accusing someone of "complicity" means alleging they are involved in or have knowledge of a crime or wrongful act. The "lack of complicity" would be the opposite of this accusation.