lack of hygiene

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of hygiene" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition where cleanliness is insufficient or neglected. Example: "The restaurant was closed due to a serious lack of hygiene, which posed health risks to customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The unspeakable vileness of Mr Gandhi, and the lack of hygiene of just about everything.

The Guardian - Books

Things that are worth complaining about are neglect, cruelty and lack of hygiene.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it wasn't just the smell; the lack of hygiene resulted in low life expectancy and disease, including cholera epidemics.

The Guardian

I find this lack of hygiene offensive and shudder to think of her walking barefoot in our apartment.

The New York Times

Although there have been complaints about the quality of the food served and the lack of hygiene, the incident in Bihar appeared to be unprecedented.

The Guardian

Disease, overcrowding, lack of hygiene, lack of shelter: these are the problems that shape the response to homelessness and humanitarian crises worldwide.

The Guardian

But the Hygienic Laboratory's lack of hygiene posed a problem: on January 23rd, a top official with the Baltimore City Health Department came down with psittacosis.

The New Yorker

The community board also wants the city's 311 operators to document complaints about noise or lack of hygiene in the park.

The New York Times

"In the Ebola crisis for example, the lack of hygiene is one of the causes for the spread of the disease, so people are starting to pick up on its relevance even in crisis situations.

The Guardian

The lack of hygiene, inadequate medical provision and poor nutrition are all aggravating his pre-existing health conditions including a heart problem, high blood pressure, a thyroid condition and a chronic allergy.

The Guardian

Several of my fellow doctors have likewise observed a lack of hygiene by airplane passengers, and no effort by airline personnel to educate people on the importance of washing their hands.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity, consider the audience and context, and choose the most appropriate alternative to "lack of hygiene", such as "poor sanitation" or "unhygienic practices", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Common error

Avoid using redundant phrases like "severe lack of hygiene" when "lack of hygiene" already implies a significant deficiency. Instead, focus on providing specific details or examples to illustrate the extent of the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of hygiene" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting the absence or deficiency of cleanliness and sanitary practices, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of hygiene" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the absence or deficiency of cleanliness and sanitary practices. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, including news, business, and scientific domains. While it's often associated with negative consequences, such as increased health risks, it is generally used in a neutral register. When using the phrase, consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate alternative, such as "poor sanitation" or "unhygienic practices", and avoid redundant phrasing. Top authoritative sources that use "lack of hygiene" are The Guardian, The New York Times, and Unicef.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unhygienic practices

Emphasizes the actions or habits that contribute to a lack of cleanliness and increase the risk of infection.

insanitary conditions

Highlights the unhealthiness and potential for disease transmission due to unclean surroundings.

deficient cleanliness

Directly points out the absence or inadequacy of cleaning efforts.

substandard hygiene

Focuses on the quality of hygiene practices being below acceptable standards.

poor sanitation

Focuses on the inadequate systems for waste disposal and cleanliness in a community or environment.

inadequate sanitation

Stresses the insufficient provision or maintenance of sanitary facilities and systems.

unclean environment

Highlights the state of the surroundings as being dirty or unsanitary.

absence of sanitation

Highlights the complete lack of any systems or practices to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.

germ-ridden state

Emphasizes the presence of germs and the associated health risks.

dirty surrounding

Simple and direct alternative indicating a lack of cleanliness in the immediate environment.

FAQs

What are the consequences of "lack of hygiene"?

A "lack of hygiene" can lead to various health problems, including the spread of infectious diseases, skin infections, and gastrointestinal illnesses. It can also negatively impact social and economic well-being.

What's the difference between "lack of hygiene" and "poor sanitation"?

"Lack of hygiene" refers to personal cleanliness practices, while "poor sanitation" refers to the inadequate management of waste and wastewater in a community or environment. Although related, they address different aspects of cleanliness and health.

How can a "lack of hygiene" affect children?

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of "lack of hygiene", which can lead to increased rates of diarrhea, respiratory infections, and malnutrition. Promoting good hygiene practices among children is crucial for their health and development.

What can I say instead of "lack of hygiene"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "poor sanitation", "unhygienic practices", or "deficient cleanliness" to describe situations where cleanliness is inadequate.