lack of smoothness

USAGE SUMMARY

"lack of smoothness" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means a lack of fluidity or ease in movement, action, or operation. Example: The ride was uncomfortable due to the lack of smoothness on the road.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Generically, forcing methods generate a solution that is not smooth across the embedded boundaries, and it is this lack of smoothness which limits the accuracy of the methods.

Journal of Computational Physics

These results confirm that the lack of smoothness in the solution produces a lower-order error.

Journal of Computational Physics

Generally, such a lack of smoothness translates into a barroom-brawl energy that can keep a high-concept, no-brow picture cracking, but this doesn't happen here.

The New York Times

This will lead to the discontinuity between hours, which can be detrimental to forecasting results due to the lack of smoothness.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

This lack of smoothness of the solution near (t=0) results in a decay in the order of the practical performance of familiar timestepping methods for equation (1).

Advances in Difference Equations

For a large number of trials (Fig. 5c), the thresholding estimate is a bit refined but clearly suffers from a lack of smoothness.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience (JMN)

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

(Jobs and Ive had different dispositions, but perhaps shared a lack of social smoothness, and it seems fitting that one of their great joint achievements was to give digital distractions to people forced to ride in elevators with nodding acquaintances).

The New Yorker

However, the lack of sufficient smoothness affects the reduction to the canonical form: it will be incomplete even if there are no resonances.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

You can absolutely feel the lack of stability and smoothness when riding a janky or half-broken scooter.

TechCrunch

She's far too clever and quick-witted to be bland – but there's a smoothness, a lack of any trace of internal conflict, that makes her seem almost unnaturally confident.

The Guardian

Critics praised general aspects of the game's graphics such as their crispness, detail, smoothness, and lack of polygon dropout.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or system, specify the area where the "lack of smoothness" occurs to provide clarity and context. For example, 'The lack of smoothness in the algorithm caused unexpected errors'.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of smoothness" as a vague criticism. Instead, pinpoint the specific element that contributes to the issue. For instance, instead of saying 'The presentation lacked smoothness', try 'The transition between slides lacked smoothness due to inconsistent formatting'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of smoothness" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the absence of a quality, as supported by Ludwig and its examples, where it indicates a deficiency in fluidity, ease, or regularity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

27%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of smoothness" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase, denoting the absence of fluidity, regularity, or ease in various contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is considered correct and applicable in diverse scenarios. Predominantly featured in scientific and news media, it points to imperfections requiring refinement. When using this phrase, specificity is key to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "irregularity" or "discontinuity" can offer nuanced meanings depending on the context. Overall, understanding its purpose and usage ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of fluidity

Directly contrasts the concept of smoothness, focusing on the lack of flow.

uneven texture

Focuses specifically on the tactile aspect, relating to surface irregularity.

unevenness

Highlights the state of not being level or uniform.

roughness

Emphasizes the coarse or irregular quality of a surface or process.

lack of uniformity

Underscores the absence of consistency or sameness.

discontinuity

Highlights the absence of continuous progression or flow.

irregularity

Points out the deviation from a consistent or uniform state.

inconsistency

Focuses on the variable and unpredictable nature of something.

interrupted flow

Implies that some process or substance is not moving seamlessly.

patchiness

Describes a state of being unevenly distributed or inconsistent.

FAQs

How can I describe the "lack of smoothness" in a process?

You can use terms like "interrupted flow", "discontinuity", or "irregularity" depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize. Consider using "absence of fluidity" to underscore the lack of flow.

What are some common causes of a "lack of smoothness" in data?

Missing data points, outliers, and inconsistent formatting are frequent culprits. Addressing these issues often involves data cleaning and preprocessing techniques.

Is "lack of smoothness" always a negative attribute?

Not necessarily. In some contexts, like artistic expression or simulations, a controlled "lack of smoothness" can introduce realism or visual interest. However, in most technical or functional contexts, it is undesirable.

What's the difference between "lack of smoothness" and "roughness"?

"Lack of smoothness" is a more general term that can apply to various contexts beyond physical texture. "Roughness" specifically relates to the tactile quality of a surface. You might describe a bumpy road as having "roughness" while describing a clumsy speech as having a "lack of smoothness".