lack of use

USAGE SUMMARY

"lack of use" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that something is not being used or is not being used enough. For example: "Due to the lack of use, the printer has stopped working properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The lack of use caused a weakness in his hips.

The New York Times - Sports

It is priceless because of its condition and lack of use, he added.

The New York Times

After a while, your strong will must go soft from lack of use.

The Guardian

Memory, unlike gold, starts to deteriorate with time, and from lack of use.

The New Yorker

How's that for excuses for the lack of use of two of my three decanters?

The New York Times

He said that was from lack of use and was nothing serious.

The New York Times - Sports

It is only used at half its capacity and the cranes are already getting rusty from lack of use.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Marx said the biggest mechanical problems with these cars were caused by a lack of use.

The New York Times

I was there looking pale in a swimming costume which, through lack of use, had lost all its elasticity.

Independent

To the Editor: Your claim of shock at the lack of use of sophisticated information technology in the health care system is somewhat perplexing.

The New York Times

Despite its name, there were no grass courts for him to try his hand on there, as they had fallen into disrepair through lack of use.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the consequences of "lack of use", be specific about what is affected. For example, instead of saying "the equipment deteriorated", specify "the equipment deteriorated due to lack of use, leading to increased maintenance costs".

Common error

Avoid using "lack of use" when you actually mean "misuse" or "unintended use". "Lack of use" indicates that something isn't being utilized, while "misuse" implies it's being used incorrectly. For example, a tool suffering damage from "unintended use" is different than a tool rusting from a "lack of use".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of use" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It describes the absence of utilization of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

34%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of use" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase used to denote the absence of something being utilized. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's correct and effective for describing consequences arising from this absence. Its applications span across diverse domains, with high prevalence in News & Media and Science, making it suitable for neutral and professional communication. When employing the phrase, it is crucial to specify affected components, and avoid confusing it with terms like "misuse". Alternatives such as "absence of utilization" or "disuse" can be used for variety. The ubiquity of "lack of use" confirms its place as a standard expression in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of utilization

Replaces "lack" with "absence" and "use" with "utilization", emphasizing the non-existence of use.

non-use

A more concise term directly indicating the absence of use.

disuse

Implies a cessation or absence of prior use.

underutilization

Suggests that something is being used less than it could or should be.

inactivity

Focuses on the state of not being active or used.

neglect

Implies a failure to use something properly or at all, often with negative consequences.

infrequent use

Highlights that use occurs, but not often.

limited application

Suggests that something is only used in a few situations.

failure to employ

Focuses on the active choice not to use something.

state of disrepair

Highlights a condition caused by not being used.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of use" to describe why something has deteriorated or become ineffective, as in "The machine broke down due to a "lack of use" during the off-season".

What are some alternatives to "lack of use"?

You can use alternatives like "absence of utilization", "disuse", or "underutilization" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "lack of use" and "failure to maintain"?

"Lack of use" refers to the absence of utilization, while "failure to maintain" implies that something was not properly cared for, even if it was being used. Something can fall into disrepair from "lack of use" or from a "failure to maintain" it.

Is it correct to say "due to lack of use"?

Yes, it is correct to say "due to "lack of use"" to indicate that something happened because something was not being used. For example, "Due to the "lack of use", the software license was revoked".