lack of hope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of hope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or feeling where there is no expectation of a positive outcome or future improvement. Example: "After years of struggling with the illness, she felt a profound lack of hope for recovery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A lack of hope pervaded.

Independent

It's lack of hope.

The New York Times

"There is a lack of hope.

The New York Times

"There is a total lack of hope for the Rohingya.

The Guardian

"Inspiration in a place where there's a lack of hope".

The New York Times - Sports

It was obvious: a lack of opportunity, lack of hope.

The Guardian - Tech

Instead, he found these preemptive strikes had more to do with the lack of hope.

Stanford University

"The greatest problem I've seen with people is the lack of hope.

The New York Times

Beyond that, she said, she sees nothing but deprivation and lack of hope in her community.

The Guardian

"The greatest enemy here is lack of hope," Mr. Cain said in an interview.

The New York Times

Case and Deaton believe that white Americans may be suffering from a lack of hope.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack of hope", ensure the context clearly establishes what is causing this absence of hope, enhancing the impact and relevance of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of hope" in situations where the situation is only mildly discouraging. Use it only when it's truly a situation where all hope is lost, because of overuse you will be making it less effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of hope" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, denoting the absence of positive expectations or anticipation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of hope" is a commonly used and grammatically sound noun phrase that effectively communicates despair and pessimism. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal settings and commonly found in News & Media, scientific and formal business texts. To enhance your writing, use "lack of hope" in contexts where the cause of hopelessness is evident. Be mindful of potential overuse to maintain its impact. Consider using alternatives such as "absence of hope" or "feeling of hopelessness" to vary your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of hope

Focuses on the complete non-existence of hope.

dearth of hope

Emphasizes the scarcity or limited availability of hope.

loss of hope

Highlights the act of losing or having hope taken away.

feeling of hopelessness

Emphasizes the subjective experience of not having hope.

sense of despair

Shifts the focus to the feeling of complete loss of hope and resignation.

no expectation of success

Focuses on the absence of anticipated positive outcomes.

pessimistic outlook

Highlights a general negative view of the future.

diminished expectations

Emphasizes lowered or reduced anticipation of positive events.

bleak prospects

Focuses on a negative or discouraging view of future possibilities.

despondency

Highlights a state of low spirits and sadness, closely related to hopelessness.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of hope" to describe a situation where there is no expectation of a positive outcome, such as: "The prolonged drought led to a "lack of hope" among the farmers."

What are some synonyms for "lack of hope"?

Alternatives for "lack of hope" include "absence of hope", "dearth of hope", or a "feeling of hopelessness", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "lack of hope" and "loss of hope"?

"Lack of hope" refers to a general absence of hope, while "loss of hope" implies that hope existed previously but has been taken away or diminished. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing the initial absence or the removal of hope.

Is "lack of hope" a formal or informal expression?

"Lack of hope" is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of your writing.