lack of official

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of official" is not correct in English as it is incomplete and lacks context.
It can be used when discussing the absence of something that is formally recognized or sanctioned, but it needs to be part of a larger phrase to be meaningful. Example: "The lack of official documentation has caused delays in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is a lack of official crisis help (part one).

The Guardian

There is a lack of official crisis help (part two).

The Guardian

The lack of official statements became part of the story.

The New Yorker

She also criticized the lack of official statistics.

The New York Times

Other specialist courts have fallen by the wayside because of lack of official support.

The Guardian

"However, the lack of official appetite for truth has not dampened the urge to seek it".

The Guardian - Books

Occupiers argued that the lack of official union endorsement is because leaders have their hands tied.

The Guardian

The lack of official statistics, however, prompts many to assume the worst.

The Guardian

A downside to open source is the lack of official support – there's no helpdesk to call.

The Guardian

The lack of official response suggests casual racism will continue to fester in football.

Independent

Some worry that the lack of official registration could have serious implications.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the "lack of official" something, clearly specify what entity or authority the 'official' aspect pertains to. For example, "lack of official government support" or "lack of official company policy".

Common error

Avoid using "lack of official" in isolation. Always clarify what the 'official' element refers to. Without context, it can be unclear whether you mean sanctioned, recognized, documented, or something else entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of official" primarily functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun, indicating the absence or deficiency of something that is formally recognized, sanctioned, or authorized. Ludwig shows many examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of official" is a commonly used noun phrase to denote the absence or deficiency of something formally recognized or authorized. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples reveals its prevalence across various domains, particularly in news, science, and formal business contexts. While grammatically sound, ensure to provide sufficient context to clarify what specific 'official' element is missing. Consider alternatives like "absence of official" for a slightly more formal tone. By being specific and avoiding vagueness, you can effectively communicate the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Absence of official

Replaces "lack" with "absence", maintaining the same core meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

Deficiency of official

Substitutes "lack" with "deficiency", emphasizing the inadequacy or incompleteness of something official.

Absence of formal

Replaces "official" with "formal", highlighting the absence of established procedures or structures.

Deficiency of formal

Emphasizes an inadequacy in established procedures or structures rather than directly in something deemed official.

Want of official

Uses "want" as a synonym for "lack", indicating a need or deficiency in official support or resources.

Absence of authorization

Focuses specifically on the absence of permission or endorsement from an authority.

Deficiency of sanction

Highlights the absence of official approval or penalty, often in the context of rules or regulations.

Absence of recognition

Highlights the absence of something acknowledged, legitimized, or celebrated by an official authority.

Deficiency of validation

Highlights the absence of an act of checking or proving the validity or accuracy of something.

Absence of backing

Focuses on the absence of support or endorsement from an official source.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "lack of official" in a sentence?

You can replace "lack of official" with phrases such as "absence of official", "deficiency of official", or "want of official" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "lack of official" or "absence of official"?

Both "lack of official" and "absence of official" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Absence of official" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

What does "lack of official support" mean?

"Lack of official support" implies that there is no formal backing, endorsement, or assistance from an authority or organization. This can refer to funding, resources, or even verbal approval.

How does the "lack of official" data affect research?

A "lack of official" data can hinder research by making it difficult to draw accurate conclusions or compare findings across different studies. Researchers may need to rely on alternative data sources or estimation techniques, as highlighted by "this study".