lacks consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacks consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation, opinion, or topic that does not have agreement among a group of people or experts. Example: "The scientific community often lacks consensus on the implications of climate change, leading to ongoing debates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

But Mr. Nayed must himself navigate the shoals of a society that still lacks consensus on what kinds of dealings with the old government are forgivable.

The New York Times

Thus, it is apparent that the literature lacks consensus on the association between FDI and BITs.

Journal of Economic Structures

The literature lacks consensus regarding how to promote effective spread of complex innovations like SCALE-UP.

International Journal of STEM Education

One of the reasons is that management often lacks consensus on monitoring thresholds for intervention.

Journal of Environmental Management

Yet, the region still lacks consensus on the best approach to overcoming its specific challenges in reducing mortality from ACS.

International Journal of Cardiology

The social perspective of sustainability is intangible and qualitative in nature and lacks consensus on relevant criteria (Von Geibler et al. 2006).

Asian Journal of Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

However, when war finally came, black Northerners lacked consensus on whether they should participate in the slave rebellion.

The New York Times

Another limitation that adds difficulty in comparing treatments is the lacking consensus on several definitions between studies.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Kuhn describes an immature science, in what he sometimes calls its 'pre-paradigm' period, as lacking consensus.

SEP

Currently, the text is bracketed, which means that delegates at a meeting last May in Nairobi, when this text was proposed, lacked consensus on its inclusion.

Science Magazine

It is also possible that the association of CaRF with peaks that lack consensus binding sites is indirect.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacks consensus", clearly identify the group or sources among whom the consensus is lacking to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stating that a topic "lacks consensus" without specifying which specific aspects are contested. Provide details to clarify the nature of the disagreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacks consensus" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the absence of general agreement on a particular subject. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase describes a situation where different individuals or groups hold differing opinions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lacks consensus" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the absence of general agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most frequently encountered in scientific and news-related contexts. While primarily serving to describe a state of disagreement, it is crucial to provide specific context regarding who or what "lacks consensus" to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "is not agreed upon" and "remains unresolved". When employing "lacks consensus" it's best to clearly specify the aspects contested and among which group the consensus is lacking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not agreed upon

This alternative replaces "lacks consensus" with a passive construction emphasizing the absence of agreement.

is subject to debate

This phrase highlights the presence of ongoing discussion and disagreement.

remains unresolved

This suggests that the issue or question is still open and without a definitive answer.

is a matter of contention

This alternative emphasizes the controversial nature of the subject.

is still up for discussion

This emphasizes that no final decision has been reached.

has no uniform view

This indicates the absence of a single, consistent opinion.

remains in dispute

This alternative focuses on the active disagreement surrounding the topic.

is without accord

This is a more formal way of saying there is no agreement.

is still open to question

This implies doubt and uncertainty about the matter.

is not definitively established

This means that the issue has not been proven or confirmed conclusively.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "lacks consensus"?

When something "lacks consensus", it means there isn't a general agreement or uniform opinion about it among a group of people or experts.

How can I use "lacks consensus" in a sentence?

You can use "lacks consensus" to describe situations where opinions or conclusions differ. For example: "The scientific community lacks consensus on the long-term effects of the new drug."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "lacks consensus"?

Alternatives to "lacks consensus" include phrases like "is not agreed upon", "is subject to debate", or "remains unresolved", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lacks consensus" or "there is no consensus"?

Both "lacks consensus" and "there is no consensus" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the sentence structure and desired emphasis. "Lacks consensus" often works well as a verb phrase, while "there is no consensus" functions as a noun phrase.