lack of upkeep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of upkeep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where maintenance or care has not been provided, leading to deterioration or neglect. Example: "The park's lack of upkeep has resulted in overgrown grass and broken benches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Some finishings are already scuffed from lack of upkeep, giving the development a desolate feel.

The New York Times

Artists maintain their own work; a lack of upkeep may mean the spot goes up for grabs.

The New York Times

Lack of upkeep and investment add to the misery.Brazil's government has woken up to the urgent need to improve the country's infrastructure.

The Economist

The context here being the "hood" or urban areas commonly "disheveled by lack of upkeep or abandonment," which makes people feel uneasy or signal the presence of criminal activity.

Vice

They might look romantic but they're lack of upkeep makes them potentially hazardous to all who wander near them.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

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Vice

Unfortunately overcrowding, a lack of resources, poor upkeep of the building and a fear of the sometimes cruel methods of treatment that lay inside ran the reputation of the hospital into the ground.

Independent

The court found that the spills were not the result of a lack of security or upkeep but due to sabotage.

BBC

"Most roads have a 20-year cycle, so when there's a lack of investment and proactive upkeep, the evidence doesn't show up until years, even decades, later," said Seth Solomonow, a spokesman for the city's Transportation Department.

The New York Times

The Doolittles' house is, I see, in need of upkeep.

The New Yorker

"My experience is that sometimes interiors don't match exteriors in terms of upkeep," Mr. Tate said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the condition of a property or asset, use "lack of upkeep" to clearly indicate that the deterioration is due to insufficient maintenance efforts.

Common error

Avoid substituting "upkeep" with "update", as "update" refers to providing new information or improvements, whereas "upkeep" relates to maintaining the existing condition. Using the word "update" will change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of upkeep" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the absence or deficiency of necessary maintenance or care. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a usable and correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of upkeep" effectively conveys the absence of necessary maintenance, leading to deterioration or neglect. While Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable phrase, consider alternatives like "insufficient maintenance" or "neglect of maintenance" for varied expression. Remember, "upkeep" focuses on maintaining a condition, distinct from providing new information or "updates". Common contexts include news, wikis, and scientific discussions, highlighting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient maintenance

Replaces "lack" with "insufficient", emphasizing the inadequacy of maintenance efforts.

inadequate upkeep

Similar to "insufficient maintenance", but uses "upkeep" specifically.

absence of maintenance

Directly states that maintenance is not present or occurring.

neglect of maintenance

Uses "neglect" to highlight the act of failing to provide necessary maintenance.

failure to maintain

Emphasizes the failure to perform necessary maintenance activities.

poor maintenance

Focuses on the substandard quality of the maintenance that is being provided.

deferred maintenance

Indicates that maintenance has been postponed or delayed, resulting in a lack thereof.

deterioration due to neglect

Highlights the resulting deterioration from the act of neglect.

rundown condition

Describes the state resulting from a lack of maintenance, focusing on the deteriorated condition.

state of disrepair

Indicates a condition of being broken down or in need of repair because of a lack of maintenance.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of upkeep" to describe the reason for decline or disrepair of a physical item or place. For example: "The building's "lack of upkeep" led to significant structural damage."

What are some synonyms for "lack of upkeep"?

Some alternatives to "lack of upkeep" include "insufficient maintenance", "neglect of maintenance", or "poor maintenance".

Is "lack of upkeep" formal or informal?

"Lack of upkeep" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is a relatively neutral phrase that is easily understood in various settings.

What's the difference between "lack of upkeep" and "deferred maintenance"?

"Lack of upkeep" is a general term for insufficient maintenance. "Deferred maintenance", on the other hand, specifically refers to maintenance that has been intentionally postponed. Both can result in similar outcomes, but the reasons behind them are different.