lack of recent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of recent" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to describe a deficiency or absence of something that is current or up-to-date. Example: "The report shows a lack of recent data, which makes it difficult to draw accurate conclusions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite the lack of recent bookings, apparently the admiration is mutual.

The New York Times - Style

8.41pm BST Pistorious wins heat with new world record Apologies for the lack of recent updates.

The Guardian - Sport

Her lack of recent competition has left her wondering about her performance.

The New York Times - Sports

The lack of recent Jane Austen movies has probably played a role.

The New York Times - Magazine

At least then he could point to the club's lack of recent success.

Independent

"It's just ground, ground, ground," Williams said this week when asked about her lack of recent runners.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet after ripples of protest earlier in the year, the lack of recent student action may seem surprising.

The Guardian - Opinion

Martinez is pleased with the new traffic law but disappointed with what he sees as the lack of recent progress.

The Guardian

Growing coastal populations and lack of recent hurricane activity, from Florida to Texas, raise concerns about the nation's readiness.

The Washington Post

If that underestimated aerosols' effects, perhaps it might explain the lack of recent warming.Yet it does not.

The Economist

The lack of recent crises means the organisation faces a 30% drop in its income over the next two years.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "lack of recent" is commonly used, consider replacing it with more grammatically sound alternatives such as "absence of recent" or specifying the type of information or activity that is lacking (e.g., "lack of recent data").

Common error

Avoid using "lack of recent" as a vague placeholder. Instead, identify precisely what is missing or has not occurred recently. For example, instead of saying "The project suffered from a lack of recent attention", specify "The project suffered from a lack of recent progress reports".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of recent" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically indicating the absence or deficiency of something that has occurred or been updated in the near past. While frequently encountered, Ludwig AI points out that it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of recent" is widely used across various domains, particularly in news and scientific contexts, to denote a deficiency in current or up-to-date information. Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as grammatically incorrect, so alternative phrasing like "absence of recent" or more specific wording (e.g., "lack of recent data") can improve clarity and grammatical correctness. Despite its prevalence, carefully consider more precise and grammatically sound options to enhance your writing's impact and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of recent

Replaces "lack" with "absence", a direct synonym maintaining the same meaning.

deficiency of recent

Substitutes "lack" with "deficiency", emphasizing the insufficiency.

scarcity of recent

Uses "scarcity" instead of "lack", highlighting the limited availability.

paucity of recent

Replaces "lack" with "paucity", indicating a small quantity or insufficiency.

shortage of recent

Employs "shortage" to suggest an inadequate amount.

want of recent

Uses "want" to denote a lack or absence, a slightly more formal alternative.

dearth of recent

Substitutes "lack" with "dearth", emphasizing a severe scarcity or lack.

infrequency of recent

Replaces "lack" with "infrequency", focusing on the rare occurrence.

limited recent

Uses "limited" to indicate that there is a restricted supply or amount.

rarity of recent

Substitutes "lack" with "rarity", highlighting how uncommon something is.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct way to say "lack of recent"?

Consider using alternatives like "absence of recent", or rephrasing to specify what exactly is lacking, such as "a "shortage of recent" data" or "limited recent activity".

In what contexts is "lack of recent" typically used?

The phrase "lack of recent" is commonly used in news, scientific, and formal contexts to describe a deficiency in up-to-date information, actions, or events. While frequent, be mindful of grammatical alternatives for clearer communication.

How can I make my writing more precise when using the concept of "lack of recent"?

Instead of just stating "lack of recent", specify what is lacking. For example, instead of "the project had a lack of recent success", try "the project experienced a "dearth of recent" milestones".

Is "lack of recent" considered formal or informal language?

While "lack of recent" appears in various registers, including news and scientific articles, it's not considered strictly formal. Using more precise phrasing, like "absence of recent developments" or a similar alternative, can often enhance the professionalism of your writing.