lack of pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of pay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is an absence or deficiency of payment for work or services rendered. Example: "The workers protested due to the lack of pay for the last two months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Before she'll free the pair, she reminds Batman about her lack of pay.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Lack of pay is one reason why people aren't queing up to work with older people.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lack of pay equity today is tied to larger inequalities between men and women.

The Guardian - Opinion

I think pay, and the lack of pay, and poverty, is shooting up the agenda in this country.

The Guardian

The lack of pay transparency in the workplace means it's almost impossible to make pay comparisons with co-workers.

The Guardian

I don't know if, in however many years, I might get frustrated at the lack of pay.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

It can't be a lack of paid staff.

The New York Times

There is a link, of course, between the lack of paying customers in paradise and the carjacking that haunts Behr.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Reznor wrote on his band's Web site that he had been disheartened by the lack of paying customers.

The New York Times - Arts

Terza, too, has seen the negative effects that her lack of paid sick leave can have on clients.

The Guardian

Once a child arrives, lack of paid parental leave often leads the wife to quit her job and the husband to work more.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing employment conditions, use "lack of pay" to clearly and directly communicate the issue of missing or inadequate compensation. It's easily understood in various contexts, from formal reports to casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of pay" when you actually mean "low pay". "Lack of pay" indicates a complete absence of payment, whereas "low pay" suggests that payment is being made, but the amount is insufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of pay" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as the subject or object in a sentence, denoting the absence or deficiency of monetary compensation for work performed. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where the phrase is used to describe reasons for strikes, protests, or general hardship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of pay" is a noun phrase that describes the absence of monetary compensation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. It is frequently found in news articles, formal business reports, and even on Wikipedia, with a neutral register. While semantically similar phrases exist, such as "absence of remuneration" or "non-payment of wages", "lack of pay" remains a direct and widely understood way to communicate this critical issue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of remuneration

Replaces "lack" with "absence" and "pay" with the more formal "remuneration".

non-payment of wages

Focuses on the act of not paying wages, highlighting the employer's action.

wage arrears

Implies that payment is overdue, adding a temporal dimension.

salary shortfall

Emphasizes that the expected salary amount is not being met.

unpaid earnings

Highlights that the earnings have not yet been disbursed.

income deficiency

Focuses on overall lack of adequate income.

financial deprivation

Suggests a broader state of being without financial resources.

economic hardship

Points to financial difficulties and struggle.

poverty

Indicates a general state of being poor.

financial constraint

Emphasizes limitation and restriction in financial capacity.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of pay" to describe situations where individuals are not receiving their wages. For example, "The healthcare workers went on strike due to "lack of pay" and dangerous working conditions".

What are some alternative phrases for "lack of pay"?

Alternatives include "absence of remuneration", "non-payment of wages", or "wage arrears", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a lack of pay" or just "lack of pay"?

Both "lack of pay" and "a lack of pay" can be grammatically correct, but "lack of pay" is more common when referring to the general absence of wages. "A lack of pay" is more appropriate when specifying a particular instance or situation.

What's the difference between "lack of pay" and "low wages"?

"Lack of pay" means that no payment is being received at all. "Low wages", on the other hand, indicates that payment is being made, but the amount is considered insufficient or inadequate.