lack of custom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of custom" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is an absence of established practices or traditions in a particular context. Example: "The lack of custom in this new community has made it difficult for newcomers to integrate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The sandy streets are empty and the shops closed for lack of custom.

The Guardian

He has had no work for the past six months, for lack of custom.

The Guardian

The IMF, which has shed staff this year because of the lack of custom, is now working overtime (see article).

The Economist

But its lack of custom means that, as in Caryl Churchill's Top Girls, we never get to see the actual process of recruitment.

The Guardian

The professional priests, who perform rituals for laypeople in homes or at temples and sacred sites, complain of the lack of custom, and their numbers are diminishing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It wasn't lack of custom that was causing her financial hardship – her pub has never been busier; nor is it because of beer duty – thankfully that has been cut for the past two budgets.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

A lax attitude towards enforcement and the lack of customs officers and resources have not helped.

The Economist

For on top of the lack of customs officers, there are no policemen, no judges and no police stations to report the robberies or outrages one suffers.

The Guardian

Because of the lack of customs duties and low or nonexistent taxes, Andorra has become an important international centre of retail trade that has attracted millions of shoppers from all over Europe with its duty-free imported consumer goods, including alcoholic beverages, electronic devices, tobacco, and clothing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nevertheless, we think that that kind of grading of myocardial perfusion inhomogeneity is reasonably feasible, apart from that there is a lack of custom-made software for quantitation of perfusion inhomogeneity so far.

EJNMMI Research

Lack of customer base?

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack of custom", consider if a more specific term like "lack of demand" or "absence of tradition" would provide greater clarity in your writing.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "custom" (a habitual practice) with "customs" (duties levied on imports or exports). Using the wrong term can significantly alter the intended meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of custom" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes the state of not having enough business or established practices. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, from tourism to retail.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Lack of custom" describes a deficiency in business, patronage, or established practice. While grammatically sound, it's essential to consider context and potentially opt for more specific terms like "lack of demand" for enhanced clarity. Ludwig's /s/examples show its use across news, encyclopedias, and general writing. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, but caution against confusing "custom" with "customs". Alternatives include "absence of demand", "dearth of business", and "absence of usual practice".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dearth of business

Emphasizes a scarcity or lack of commercial activity.

scarcity of patronage

Highlights a deficiency in support from customers or clients.

absence of demand

Focuses specifically on the absence of requests or need for a product or service.

want of clientele

Indicates a deficiency in the number of customers.

insufficiency of trade

Focuses on the lack of sufficient commercial exchange.

absence of usual practice

Shifts the focus to the non-existence of typical or established behaviors.

lack of habitual behavior

Highlights the absence of routine or customary actions.

absence of established tradition

Emphasizes the non-existence of a long-standing and recognized practice.

deficiency of routine

Highlights the lack of an established series of actions.

paucity of habit

Indicates a scarcity or lack of customary action or way of life.

FAQs

What does "lack of custom" mean?

"Lack of custom" refers to a situation where there is an absence of business, patronage, or established tradition. It often implies a decline in activity or a failure to attract regular clients.

What are some alternatives to "lack of custom"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "absence of demand", "dearth of business", or "absence of usual practice".

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

You might say, "The shop closed due to a "lack of custom"," or "The decline in tourism led to a "lack of custom" for local businesses."

Is "lack of custom" formal or informal?

"Lack of custom" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although a more precise term might be preferable in formal writing.