patently absent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patently absent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is clearly or obviously missing or lacking. Example: "The evidence was patently absent from the report, raising questions about its validity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Those proxies – vitrine builders, cryogenic engineers and the rest – aren't actually present in the work, but they do allow the artists to be patently absent from it.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The expectation that Dad will be absent from the delivery room, opting instead to hand out cigars in the waiting room like Don Draper, now seems patently ridiculous.

Huffington Post

Patently untrue.

The Guardian - Sport

Argentina patently.

The Guardian - Sport

Patently, that's progress.

The Economist

"That's patently obvious.

The New York Times

This is patently untrue.

The New Yorker

This was patently absurd.

The New York Times

That is patently unsustainable.

The Economist

This was patently false.

The New Yorker

This is patently unfair.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patently absent" to emphasize that something's absence is not just missing, but conspicuously and undeniably so, lending a formal and assertive tone to your writing. Reserve it for situations where the absence is a key point.

Common error

Avoid using "patently absent" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase's formal tone can sound stilted or overly assertive in relaxed settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patently absent" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is clearly and undeniably missing or lacking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests more than simple absence; it implies a conspicuous and obvious lack.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patently absent" is a phrase used to describe something that is obviously and undeniably missing. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct, though its usage is relatively rare. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, where its formal tone lends itself well to assertive statements. While it can be substituted with alternatives like "clearly missing" or "obviously lacking", "patently absent" emphasizes the conspicuous and undeniable nature of the absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Clearly missing

Emphasizes the obvious lack of something.

Obviously lacking

Highlights the evident deficiency.

Plainly not present

Stresses the straightforward absence.

Conspicuously absent

Focuses on how noticeable the absence is.

Evidently not there

Indicates the lack of presence is apparent.

Manifestly missing

Highlights that the absence is undeniable.

Unmistakably absent

Suggests no confusion about the absence.

Indisputably lacking

Indicates the absence is beyond question.

Blatantly missing

Stresses a glaring absence.

Flagrantly absent

Highlights an obvious and offensive absence.

FAQs

How can I use "patently absent" in a sentence?

Use "patently absent" to describe something that is clearly and obviously missing. For example, "The evidence was patently absent from the report."

What are some alternatives to "patently absent"?

Alternatives include "clearly missing", "obviously lacking", or "conspicuously absent", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it more appropriate to say "patently absent" or "obviously absent"?

"Patently absent" is more formal and emphasizes the undeniable nature of the absence, while "obviously absent" is more neutral. Choose based on the tone you want to convey.

When is it best to use "patently absent" over other similar phrases?

Use "patently absent" when you want to highlight that something's absence is not just a simple oversight, but a glaring and unmistakable omission that likely has significance.