lack of humanity

USAGE SUMMARY

"lack of humanity" is correct and is often used in written English.
For example, "The war was devastating, the most terrible thing being the lack of humanity it caused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I assure you it will leave you feeling scared of humanity, for humanity and mostly for the lack of humanity in humans themselves.

Huffington Post

Inexplicably, she described them as 'feral humans' despite her own flagrant lack of humanity.

The Guardian

"Inexplicably, she described them as 'feral humans' despite her own flagrant lack of humanity," Ms Saunders wrote.

Independent

Judge Head said: "The general attitude of each of you was that your victims were worthless, there purely for your sexual gratification - young human beings you degraded and treated with a total lack of humanity and respect".

Independent

How was it possible for humans to respond to the plight of others with a complete lack of humanity?

Huffington Post

I saw our shocking lack of humanity.

The New York Times

Traditional courseware is lack of humanity.

Procedia Environmental Sciences

I say that's a lack of humanity".

The Guardian

Gold medals all round for lack of humanity.

The Guardian - Opinion

But they have shown their complete lack of humanity again and again and again.

Independent

Both of these installations suffer from what might be termed a lack of humanity.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "lack of humanity", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific human qualities are absent, such as compassion, empathy, or morality. This adds precision and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of humanity" as a generic condemnation. Instead, specify the deficit – is it a lack of empathy, compassion, or respect? This prevents the phrase from becoming a cliché and strengthens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of humanity" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the absence of qualities typically associated with being human, such as compassion, empathy, or morality. Ludwig shows that the phrase is employed to express disapproval or criticism of actions, behaviors, or systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of humanity" is a frequently used noun phrase that serves to criticize and condemn actions or situations devoid of compassion, empathy, or moral consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, academic and science-related contexts. While alternatives like "absence of compassion" or "inhumanity" exist, "lack of humanity" offers a nuanced way to express the deficiency of specific human qualities. When using the phrase, be specific about the lacking quality to enhance clarity and impact, and avoid overusing it in emotionally charged situations. Remembering to maintain a clear and precise understanding will prevent the phrase from becoming trite and strengthens its overall effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inhumanity

A more concise and direct synonym, implying cruelty and barbarity.

absence of compassion

Focuses specifically on the missing quality of compassion.

want of empathy

Highlights the deficiency in understanding or sharing the feelings of others.

heartlessness

Stresses the absence of emotional warmth and kindness.

devoid of human feeling

Emphasizes the complete absence of emotional connection.

absence of fellow feeling

Underscores the lack of empathy and connection between individuals.

callousness

Focuses on the insensitive and uncaring nature of the action or person.

moral deficiency

Highlights the absence of ethical or moral principles.

ethical bankruptcy

Implies a complete failure of moral and ethical standards.

brutality

Highlights the cruel and violent aspects of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of humanity" to describe situations or actions that show a disregard for human suffering or dignity. For example, "The decision to cut funding for essential services demonstrated a "lack of humanity" towards the vulnerable members of society."

What are some alternatives to "lack of humanity"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "absence of compassion", "inhumanity", or "moral deficiency". Each of these carries slightly different connotations.

Is it more effective to say "lack of humanity" or "inhumanity"?

Both "lack of humanity" and "inhumanity" are valid, but "lack of humanity" can sometimes provide a more nuanced description by emphasizing the specific absence of human qualities, while "inhumanity" is a stronger, more direct condemnation.

Can "lack of humanity" be used to describe policies or systems?

Yes, "lack of humanity" can effectively describe policies or systems that fail to consider the well-being and dignity of people. For example, "The immigration policy's "lack of humanity" was evident in its separation of families."