lack of reaction

USAGE SUMMARY

"lack of reaction" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone or something did not respond to something in the expected way or that something did not cause a reaction. For example: The student's lack of reaction to the teacher's request suggested that they had not heard her.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or more accurately, the lack of reaction.

The New York Times - Sports

Kosciusko-Morizet said the robbery showed the city's "lack of reaction to deal with new threats".

The Guardian

The explanation may partly be lack of reaction from the stadium.

The Guardian

What did surprise Tilghman, though, was the reaction -- or lack of reaction -- from current female students.

The New York Times - Magazine

Tells about Sept. 2 game with Yankees, and fans' lack of reaction to various plays.

The New Yorker

Indeed, the most surprising aspect of the controversy was the lack of reaction.

The New York Times

I was struck by the robot's lack of reaction as she made the swap.

Nature

But their lack of reaction to seeing a naked woman collapsing on the street in front of them suggests otherwise.

The Guardian

One reason for the initial lack of reaction to the cartoons was that they were, essentially, innocuous.

The New Yorker

But I was surprised by the lack of reaction back home.

The New York Times

Council members' apparent lack of reaction to those comments on the video prompted the meeting this coming Tuesday, Glazer said.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs or more descriptive adjectives to specify the type of missing response. For example, instead of "lack of reaction", use "silent disapproval" or "deliberate indifference".

Common error

Don't use "lack of reaction" when a different kind of response was expected than simple action. Instead of saying "His lack of reaction suggested boredom", clarify with "His uninterested silence suggested boredom".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of reaction" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the absence of a response, whether emotional, physical, or communicative, to a particular stimulus or event. Ludwig AI validates this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of reaction" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that describes the absence of an expected or desired response. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to denote this absence, often highlighting surprise or concern. Found frequently in News & Media and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral to professional register. To enhance clarity, ensure the context clearly indicates the anticipated response. When aiming for more vivid expression, consider alternatives like "absence of response" or "non-responsiveness".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no response

A direct and simple way of stating that there was no reaction.

absence of response

Emphasizes the complete non-existence of any reply or reaction.

failure to respond

Highlights the inability or omission in providing an answer or reaction.

non-responsiveness

A more formal term indicating a general unwillingness or inability to react.

inaction

Focuses on the absence of action, which may or may not imply an expected reaction.

failure to act

Stresses the failure to take any action, indicating a missed opportunity to react.

passivity

Suggests a state of being unreactive or not actively participating.

lack of engagement

Highlights the absence of active participation or involvement.

apathy

Indicates a lack of interest or concern, resulting in no visible reaction.

indifference

Implies a lack of feeling or concern, leading to a lack of response.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of reaction" to describe a situation where a response was expected but did not occur. For example, "The audience's lack of reaction to the comedian's jokes was disheartening."

What are some alternatives to "lack of reaction"?

Some alternatives to "lack of reaction" include "absence of response", "failure to respond", or "non-responsiveness", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "lack of reaction" or "no reaction"?

Both "lack of reaction" and "no reaction" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference or the specific context of the sentence.

What does "lack of reaction" imply?

"Lack of reaction" typically implies that a response was expected or warranted but did not occur, suggesting indifference, disapproval, or an inability to respond.