lack of guard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of guard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is insufficient protection or vigilance against potential threats or dangers. Example: "The team's lack of guard during the final minutes of the game allowed the opposing team to score a last-minute goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

With its courtyard surrounded by two stories of identical rooms, and excepting the lack of guard towers and the presence of a swimming pool, it followed the same architectural model as a prison.

The New Yorker

Histology allowed us to state that the lack of guard hair in rex rabbits was not due to the degenerescence of primary hair follicles.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When Mr. Loyrette arrived, 26percentt of the museum's galleries were closed daily for lack of guards, which were still supplied and paid for by the Culture Ministry.

The New York Times - Arts

Critics point out that laxer security and a lack of armed guards favour escapes or the abuse of prison as a centre for criminal operations.

The Economist

Because of an editing error, an article on Thursday about the lack of armed guards inside the sprawling gas facility in the Algerian Sahara assaulted by militants last week misstated the number of foreign hostages killed in the siege.

The New York Times

Thus, even in the Louvre, a fifth of the galleries are closed on any given day for lack of security guards, while tight budgets have led many smaller museums to rely on hardware.

The New York Times - Arts

[New York Post] The PTA at the UFT Elementary Charter School, which is run by New York City's teachers' union, is complaining about a lack of security guards, high teacher turnover and poor communication by the school's administrator, Rita Danis.

The New York Times

It was the lack of rear-guard strength that you noticed most of all during Russia's loss to Finland, both in the lapses that led to Finnish goals and in the absence of blue-line puck support on the offensive end.

The New Yorker

In 1997, Le Figaro ran a series of articles describing the chateau's problems, which included the fact that the Museum of the History of France, with its 3,000 paintings in 125 galleries, was closed to the public for lack of security guards.

The New York Times - Travel

In the fading light of a winter afternoon, as memorial candles flickered at the accident site, residents gathered to complain about the lack of crossing guards at an intersection where, they said, motorists often ignore the traffic lights and endanger pedestrians in the crosswalks.

The New York Times

Driving themselves around in a city seemingly permeated by secret police, she describes the joys of not having an imposing presence of bodyguards, delighting in how Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, while being driven to dinner by the Assads, marvelled at their seeming lack of security guards.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack of guard", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being left unguarded and the potential consequences of this absence. For instance, specify the asset, information, or entity that requires protection but is currently vulnerable.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of guard" in contexts where a more specific term would be appropriate. For example, instead of saying "the museum suffered from a lack of guard", specify "the museum suffered from a lack of security personnel" or "a lack of surveillance systems".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of guard" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the absence of protective measures or personnel. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of guard" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the absence of protective measures, as confirmed by Ludwig. It appears in various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions, indicating a neutral register. While examples are abundant, it's vital to use specific terms and contexts to use the expression more precisely. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable, so it can be incorporated appropriately in your writings to effectively indicate a vulnerability due to missing protective measures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of vigilance

Emphasizes the absence of watchfulness and attentiveness.

absence of protection

Focuses on the complete non-existence of protective measures.

insufficient defense

Highlights the inadequacy of existing defensive measures.

inadequate security

Emphasizes the substandard nature of the security arrangements.

negligence of security

Implies a careless oversight in maintaining security protocols.

vulnerable position

Shifts the focus to the resulting state of being susceptible to harm.

unguarded state

Highlights the condition of being without any protective measures.

unprotected status

Focuses on the lack of any form of shielding or safeguard.

defenseless situation

Underscores the inability to resist potential threats.

lapse in security

Points to a temporary failure or break in security measures.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of guard" to describe a situation where something is not adequately protected. For example: "The facility's "lack of guard" made it vulnerable to attack."

What are some alternatives to "lack of guard"?

Alternatives include "absence of protection", "insufficient defense", or "inadequate security". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "lack of guards" or "lack of guard"?

Both phrases can be correct, but they imply different things. "Lack of guard" refers to a general absence of protection, while "lack of guards" refers to a specific shortage of security personnel.

What does "lack of vigilance" mean, and how is it different from "lack of guard"?

"Lack of vigilance" refers to a failure to be watchful or alert, focusing on attentiveness. "Lack of guard", on the other hand, refers to the absence of physical protective measures or personnel. While related, vigilance emphasizes mental awareness, and "lack of guard" focuses on tangible security.