lack of inertia

USAGE SUMMARY

'lack of inertia' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the absence or dearth of an expected resistance or effort. For example: "Despite my lack of inertia, I eventually mustered the courage to leave the comfort of my home and received a job offer the next day!".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the islanded mode of MG network, due to the lack of inertia and under performance of PI based inverter control, variation in power and frequency level can be expected more during the transient conditions as compared to the grid connected mode.

Electric Power Systems Research

It's much easier to blame your professional and personal failings on the lack of inertia in Austin.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In comparison to synchronous generators, power converters have a time response that can be several orders of magnitude faster, due to the additional control capabilities and the lack of mechanical inertia.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Based on a two-phase thermofluidic oscillator concept, the novelty and advantage of this particular system lie in its use of phase change and its lack of reliance on inertia to sustain oscillations, though it is recognized that inertia will always be present in any physical manifestation of the engine.

Applied Energy

The task force found a lack of direction and inertia among the 350 lawyers and accountants monitoring oil prices.

The New York Times

Despite widespread support, the project has languished because of a lack of financing, political inertia, squabbles with transportation agencies and the developers' ambitions.

The New York Times

The task force found lack of direction and inertia among the 350 lawyers and accountants monitoring oil prices: some auditors assigned to individual refineries had moved television sets into their offices and spent the day watching soap operas, Mr. Bloom told The Times.

The New York Times

It seems to us that the two main factors responsible are lack of familiarity and inertia of previous practice.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Graham Taylor, the Open Forum Europe chief executive, says more than 90 percent of European governments end up buying proprietary software products because of inertia, lack of knowledge about open-source alternatives or the fear of switching to a new supplier.

The New York Times - Tech

Like countless St. Petersburgers, the Konyenkos are mired in the communal milieu by inertia, lack of choice and outright poverty.

The New York Times

"But," he said, "he is on to something very genuine: Japan's frustration in lack of leadership and political inertia".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "absence of momentum" as a suitable alternative to "lack of inertia" if you aim to express forward motion in a more literal way.

Common error

Avoid embedding "lack of inertia" within overly complex sentence structures. This can make the sentence difficult to parse and weaken the impact of the phrase. Instead, break down the sentence into simpler parts to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of inertia" functions as a noun phrase. It refers to the absence of the tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged, highlighting a deficiency in expected action or movement. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of inertia" effectively describes the absence of expected resistance or the surprising lack of activity in a given situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it finds a home in both scientific discussions and media reports. When aiming to convey this concept, consider alternatives like "absence of momentum" or "lack of motivation" for varied expression. Remember to ensure that the context clearly defines what should be in motion or changing to maximize the impact of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of momentum

Focuses on the absence of forward motion or driving force.

lack of motivation

Highlights the absence of a driving force to initiate action.

absence of drive

Similar to lack of motivation but emphasizes a more innate lack of impetus.

want of impetus

Emphasizes the deficiency in the force required to start or sustain movement.

lack of dynamism

Indicates a deficiency in energy and forcefulness, causing stagnation.

absence of action

Directly points to a state where no activity is occurring.

state of stagnation

Emphasizes a condition of inactivity and lack of progress.

lack of willingness

Suggests a lack of desire or readiness to take action.

want of initiative

Focuses on the absence of proactive behavior and self-starting capability.

lack of resistance

Highlights the absence of opposing force.

FAQs

What does "lack of inertia" mean?

The phrase "lack of inertia" describes a situation where something or someone is not showing the expected resistance to change or movement, often implying a surprising absence of activity or motivation.

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

You might say, "The project failed due to a "lack of inertia" among the team members." This highlights the absence of the expected drive to progress.

What are some alternatives to "lack of inertia"?

You can use alternatives like "absence of momentum", "lack of motivation", or "absence of action", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "lack of inertia" or "state of stagnation"?

While both refer to inactivity, ""lack of inertia"" often implies an unexpected absence of resistance to change, whereas "state of stagnation" suggests a more general condition of inactivity and lack of progress.