lack of explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

'lack of explanation' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when you are referring to something that has not been explained, for example: "The audience was confused by the lack of explanation regarding the proposed tax cuts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pavlovsky said: "There is a demonstrative lack of explanation.

The Guardian

So to that extent the lack of explanation doesn't matter.

The New York Times

The biggest problem is a lack of explanation of what the body composition measurements really mean.

The Guardian - Tech

Some of this is lack of explanation, some is just bad interface design.

The Guardian - Tech

His lack of explanation in places makes that hard to assess.

The Economist

She no longer had the cats, she wrote, with a lack of explanation that was slightly ominous.

The New Yorker

Likewise, the lack of explanation for Kate being the only survivor of an unexplained calamity is unimportant.

The Guardian - Books

Statisticians might normally view this lack of explanation as a warning flag that the pattern isn't real.

The New York Times

As well as the lack of explanation, the NRA made no effort whatsoever to reassure the public.

The Economist

And all of the many interpretations of her smile – lonely, tragic, self-conscious, uncomfortable, superior, even sinister – depend on that lack of explanation.

The Guardian - Arts

He chafed at the S.E.C.'s lack of explanation for why he should approve the settlement and described the agency as treating the court as a "rubber stamp".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack of explanation", ensure the context clearly indicates what requires explanation. For example: "The policy change was met with confusion due to the lack of explanation from the administration."

Common error

Avoid using "lack of explanation" in overly complex sentences where simpler phrasing would improve clarity. Instead of: "The project's ultimate failure could be attributed, at least in part, to the discernible lack of explanation regarding its fundamental objectives", try: "The project failed because its objectives were poorly explained."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of explanation" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object, denoting the absence of a clarifying account. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its grammatical roles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of explanation" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote the absence of clarity or justification. According to Ludwig, this phrase is widely used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. While it is generally considered neutral in formality, it's essential to ensure clarity when using it in complex sentences. To convey the same meaning, you can consider using synonyms such as "absence of explanation" or "failure to explain", each offering a nuanced variation. Understanding these nuances can help you communicate more effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paucity of explanation

Replaces "lack" with "paucity", emphasizing a scarcity of explanation.

absence of explanation

Substitutes "lack" with "absence", highlighting the non-existence of an explanation.

failure to explain

Focuses on the act of not explaining rather than the state of missing explanation.

lack of rationale

Specifies that it's the reasoning or justification that's missing.

lack of justification

Similar to "lack of rationale", emphasizing the missing support or validation.

unexplained absence

Reverses the structure, focusing on the unexplained nature of an absence.

deficient clarification

Highlights that clarification is not up to par.

scarcity of details

Focuses on the limited availability of specific information.

no account given

Emphasizes that no explanation was provided at all.

reasoning deficit

Highlights a deficiency in the provision of logical arguments or reasons.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of explanation" to point out the absence of clarity or reasoning behind something. For example: "The "lack of explanation" for the sudden departure of the CEO raised concerns among the shareholders."

What are some alternatives to "lack of explanation"?

Alternatives include "absence of explanation", "failure to explain", or "lack of rationale", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to say "lack of explanation" or "failure to explain"?

Both are correct, but ""lack of explanation"" describes the state of something not being explained, while "failure to explain" emphasizes the act of not providing an explanation. The best choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What's the difference between "lack of explanation" and "lack of clarity"?

"Lack of explanation" specifically refers to the absence of reasons or justifications, while "lack of clarity" refers to a general absence of clear understanding, which may stem from various sources, not just a missing explanation.