obvious lack of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obvious lack of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a clear or evident deficiency in something, often in a critical context. Example: "The report highlighted the obvious lack of evidence to support the claims made by the author."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Given their obvious lack of expertise, some worried that they were inviting scandal.

The New York Times

Train travel is booming and there is an obvious lack of rolling stock.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Did you?" the police detective said with an obvious lack of interest.

The New York Times - Magazine

For the Orthodox priest, Alik cannot be baptized because of his obvious lack of sincere interest.

The New York Times - Books

The patient never complained, never once questioned my obvious lack of expertise.

The New York Times

The biggest problem, aside from the obvious lack of any staging, is the elimination of the spoken dialogue.

The New York Times - Arts

The obvious lack of such a character in the USA team is a danger to Europe in itself.

The Guardian - Sport

My concern would be the obvious lack of experience, with six players here who have won fewer than 10 caps.

The Guardian - Sport

There were too few journalists and an obvious lack of digital developers to make the site dynamic enough.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Using the LAPLACIAN option may be fine when no obvious lack-of-fits are present.

CPT: Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology

The quality of fit was first assessed visually by two independent investigators in order to detect fits showing obvious lack-of-fit.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obvious lack of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is missing or deficient to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the obvious lack of funding" rather than simply "the obvious lack".

Common error

Avoid using "obvious lack of" without specifying what exactly is lacking. This can lead to confusion and weaken your argument. Instead of saying "There's an obvious lack", clarify with "There's an obvious lack of resources" to be more precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obvious lack of" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to identify and describe a deficiency that is readily apparent. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to highlight shortcomings or absences in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obvious lack of" is a frequently used noun phrase that denotes a clear and easily noticeable deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science. When employing this phrase, ensure you clearly specify what is lacking to maintain clarity and avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives such as "clear absence of" or "evident deficiency in" to add nuance. Remember, the impact of "obvious lack of" lies in its directness, making it a potent tool for highlighting shortcomings or areas needing attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear absence of

Focuses on the absence being readily apparent.

evident deficiency in

Highlights the inadequacy or shortcoming in a particular aspect.

manifest shortage of

Emphasizes the conspicuous and easily observable scarcity.

noticeable scarcity of

Highlights that the scarcity is easily detected.

palpable absence of

Indicates that the absence is almost tangible or easily felt.

conspicuous dearth of

Stresses that the lack is remarkably obvious and significant.

glaring inadequacy of

Emphasizes the inadequacy being so obvious that it is hard to ignore.

unmistakable deficiency in

Highlights that the deficiency is clear and cannot be mistaken.

patent inadequacy in

Highlights that the inadequacy is open and obvious, leaving no room for doubt.

unconcealed shortage of

Suggests the shortage is not hidden or disguised.

FAQs

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

The phrase "obvious lack of" is used to point out something that is clearly missing or deficient. For example, "The project failed due to the "obvious lack of" planning".

What are some alternatives to "obvious lack of"?

You can use alternatives like "clear absence of", "evident deficiency in", or "manifest shortage of" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "obvious lack of"?

While "lack of" already implies a deficiency, adding "obvious" emphasizes that the deficiency is readily apparent and easily noticeable. It's not necessarily redundant if you want to stress the clarity of the absence.

What's the difference between "obvious lack of" and "apparent lack of"?

"Obvious lack of" suggests the deficiency is easily seen and understood, while "apparent lack of" implies it seems that way on the surface but may not be the entire truth. "Obvious" suggests a more definitive observation.