lack of suspense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of suspense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation, story, or event that fails to create tension or anticipation. Example: "The movie was disappointing due to its lack of suspense, making it predictable and unengaging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

A common complaint about contemporary recastings is the lack of suspense.

The Guardian - Books

Is there in both a lack of suspense about what will happen?

The New York Times - Books

Sometimes, similarly, a live game can be alluring even if there's a complete lack of suspense.

The Guardian - Sport

The lack of suspense may have led to low voter turnout, which also hurt Mr. Davis.

The New York Times

That may have reflected the lack of suspense, because polls have indicated the outcome for months.

The New York Times

On the other, the utter lack of suspense could easily cause SPL fans to tune out altogether, reducing attendance, rights fees and revenue across the board.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

There's a lot there to like but I was frustrated at a lack of genuine suspense.

BBC

The punch-throwing, with a side order of flashbulbs, will be nothing new to anybody who followed De Niro and Scorsese in their prime, and the beatings that Braddock takes and dishes out lack the spice of suspense, because we sense, from the start, that things can only get better.

The New Yorker

But even shorn of the Microsoft case, this season will not lack for suspense or importance.

The New York Times

They do what they do enormously well, and which you enjoy the most is obviously a question of taste – for many, the spaciousness, playfulness and the ability to plot your own course will be worth the occasional lack of rigour and suspense.

Vice

They do what they do enormously well, and which you enjoy the most is obviously a question of taste for many, the spaciousness, playfulness, and the ability to plot your own course will be worth the occasional lack of rigor and suspense.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing a creative work, specify which elements contribute to the "lack of suspense". For example, discuss predictable plot points or underdeveloped characters.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of suspense" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more nuanced phrasing, such as "absence of narrative tension" or "deficiency in anticipatory elements", to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of suspense" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the absence of a key element in narratives or situations that are meant to create anticipation or tension. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from movie reviews to political analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of suspense" is a commonly used expression to describe the absence of tension or anticipation in various contexts, particularly in critiques of creative works and analyses of events. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and functions primarily as a noun phrase for expressing critique. While generally neutral in register, formal contexts may benefit from more sophisticated alternatives. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources. To enhance clarity and impact, specify which elements contribute to the lack of suspense when using the phrase. Overall, "lack of suspense" is a versatile and widely understood expression for conveying the absence of anticipated excitement or tension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of tension

Replaces "lack" with "absence" and "suspense" with "tension", focusing on the emotional aspect.

paucity of excitement

Substitutes "lack" with "paucity" and "suspense" with "excitement", highlighting the thrill aspect.

dearth of anticipation

Replaces "lack" with "dearth" and "suspense" with "anticipation", emphasizing the expectation element.

want of intrigue

Uses "want" instead of "lack" and "intrigue" to replace "suspense", focusing on the mystery aspect.

absence of dramatic tension

Adds "dramatic" to "tension" to specify the kind of tension missing.

predictability

Conveys the concept of missing suspense through the outcome being easily foreseen.

flatness of narrative

Indicates a lack of suspense by describing the narrative as uninteresting.

unexciting nature

Describes the quality of being unexciting, which implies a lack of suspense.

uneventful course

Refers to a situation or story that is without suspense because it is not eventful.

absence of a cliffhanger

Specifically points out the absence of a cliffhanger, a key element that creates suspense.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of suspense" to describe situations, stories, or events that do not create tension or anticipation. For example: "The play suffered from a noticeable lack of suspense, making it difficult to remain engaged."

What are some alternatives to "lack of suspense"?

You can use alternatives like "absence of tension", "paucity of excitement", or "dearth of anticipation" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "lack of suspense" in formal writing?

While "lack of suspense" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives such as "absence of narrative tension" or "deficiency in anticipatory elements" might be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What causes a "lack of suspense" in a story?

A "lack of suspense" can be caused by predictable plotlines, underdeveloped characters, a failure to create tension or conflict, or revealing crucial information too early in the narrative.