lack of documentary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of documentary" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and may be intended to refer to a lack of documentation or a lack of documentary evidence. Example: "The project was delayed due to a lack of documentary evidence to support the claims made."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The actors must carry a larger burden because of the lack of documentary material.

The Washington Post

Turkish denials have long rested on the lack of documentary evidence.

The New York Times

Part of the answer is the lack of documentary records for so much of the story.

The New York Times - Books

Surya overcomes the lack of documentary evidence by focusing on Bataille's intellectual development.

The Guardian - Books

The lack of documentary evidence makes it impossible to determine exactly how theatre began, though it is generally believed to have evolved from religious rituals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Given the near-total lack of documentary evidence and the elusive nature of the subject himself, it is hardly surprising that fictional techniques have penetrated in some ways further and more surely than the sterner disciplines of art history.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But the theory that stuck, despite the lack of any documentary evidence, was the most vivid, and involved a British captain or general named Jackson, who contracted to supply the Redcoats garrisoned on Manhattan Island with some reliable entertainment to boost flagging morale in the late stages of the Revolutionary War.

The New Yorker

Because of a lack of surviving documentary evidence on commissions of 15th century-Northern painting, the identities of donors are often established through evidence gathered by modern art historians.

Wikipedia

In collecting background information for his novel, Pressac travelled to Auschwitz to inform himself in detail about Nazi extermination techniques and was surprised at the lack of physical and documentary evidence.

The New Yorker

They also focused on aspects of the commissioner's report which suggested the MP had challenged the parameters of the investigation and raised the lack of supporting and documentary information provided.

BBC

A show as riotous and heavy-handed as its hero, Papu uses a sledgehammer rather than a stiletto for its comic effects, as you can gauge from its catchphrase - "Papu SMASH!" Frustrated at the lack of exposure for documentaries on the internet, web film-maker Doug Block (Home Page) and friends have put their wagons in a circle and formed The D-Word Community.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing missing information, specify what kind of documentation is lacking. For example, say "lack of official records" rather than just "lack of documentary".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase “lack of documentary” without specifying what kind of documentary evidence is missing. For example, clarify if it's "lack of documentary proof", "lack of documentary film", or "lack of documentary record".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of documentary" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that while used, it lacks precision and is better replaced with more specific alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

18%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

9%

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "lack of documentary" is used to denote a deficiency in documentation, Ludwig AI advises that it's often too vague and lacks precision. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and appears in various sources, including news media, encyclopedias, and wikis. For improved clarity, consider alternatives such as "absence of documentary evidence", "scarcity of documentary proof", or specifying the exact type of documentation that is missing. Doing so will result in more accurate and professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of documentary evidence

Replaces "lack" with "absence", offering a more formal tone.

scarcity of documentary proof

Substitutes "lack" with "scarcity" and "evidence" with "proof", emphasizing the limited availability.

paucity of documentary records

Uses "paucity" to highlight a smaller quantity and "records" as a substitute for "evidence".

insufficiency of documentary material

Replaces "lack" with "insufficiency", stressing inadequacy and "evidence" with "material".

dearth of documentary support

Employs "dearth" to convey a severe shortage and "support" to denote backing information.

limited documentary information

Focuses on the limited aspect of the documentary data instead of the lack.

inadequate documentary backing

Highlights the inadequacy of the documentary support.

shortage of documentary sources

Implies that the documentary sources are not enough.

deficiency of documentary validation

Uses "deficiency" for an important lack of validation.

poor documentary record

Focuses on the low quality of documentary record

FAQs

What does "lack of documentary evidence" mean?

It refers to a situation where there isn't enough documentary proof or support for a claim or event. You could also describe it as "absence of documentary evidence".

Is it correct to say "lack of documentary"?

While sometimes used, it's better to be specific about what is lacking. Instead of saying "lack of documentary", clarify with phrases like "lack of documentary proof" or "insufficient documentation".

What are some alternatives to "lack of documentary evidence"?

Alternatives include "scarcity of documentary proof", "paucity of documentary records", or simply stating that the "documentation is insufficient".

How can I make my writing clearer when there's missing information?

Instead of just saying there's a "lack of documentary", specify what kind of documentation is missing. For instance, say "lack of official records", "absence of primary sources", or "insufficient archival material" to provide more context.