sheer absence of

USAGE SUMMARY

"sheer absence of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a completely lacking situation or the total void of something. For example: "The sheer absence of light in the room made it difficult to see anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The sheer absence of information can be cause for more unrest.

The New Yorker

"This is a country with a terrible history of sheer absence of law and order.

The New York Times

Bad enough to be so ignorant of the history but, in politics as in life, it is the sheer absence of humility that grates the most.

The Guardian

Those areas are distinguished by the sheer absence of economic life: few hardware stores, pharmacies, and restaurants, and virtually no banks.

The New Yorker

Their efforts were being frustrated by a sheer absence of information about how many people were working at the site, where construction crews were completing work on the power plant being built by Kleen Energy Systems.

The New York Times

Rio 2012 might end up being remembered for the sheer absence of political leadership demonstrated by the heads of government who've flown in over the last couple of days with no intention of negotiating or agreeing anything, but that would perhaps be an unfair legacy, and mask the substantial evidence of change going on behind the scenes.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

And now, I fear I have settled into a desperate phase where I am overwhelmed by the sheer number of things I want to do, and the absolute absence of a clear choice.

Huffington Post

Still, by European standards there's a refreshing absence of sheer economic horror.

The New York Times

We are doing yoga right now, you and me, we are exchanging our philosophy of life.' Sheer cheek, energy and absence of self-doubt are the key to Choudhury's charisma and it is hard not to like him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The view now outside Moran's is of a sheer vanishing, of a towering absence, of a sky-blue void marking something so familiar suddenly snuffed to transparency.

The New York Times

As a result, they have a reputation for violence, and that is what the outside world hears about, rather than the wonderful stories about talented people who are transforming their existence out of sheer necessity and in the absence of the state.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer absence of" to highlight a stark contrast or unexpected lack, creating a stronger impact than simply stating an absence.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer absence of" when a simpler term like "lack of" would suffice. The "sheer" intensifier is most effective when emphasizing a surprising or significant absence, so be sure to add it only if you wish to emphasize.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer absence of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It denotes a complete lack or void. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer absence of" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the completeness of a lack or deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English, indicating a completely lacking situation. It is found primarily in news and scientific contexts. While not overly frequent, it is grammatically sound and serves to highlight significant voids. Consider related phrases like "total lack of" or "complete absence of" for similar emphasis, but avoid overuse in contexts where a simpler term would suffice. Top sources include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total lack of

Indicates a complete deficiency, similar to "sheer absence of".

complete absence of

Emphasizes the completeness of the absence.

utter lack of

Similar to "sheer absence of", suggesting a complete deficiency or want of something.

absolute void of

Highlights the emptiness and lack of something.

total deprivation of

Implies a complete removal or withholding.

complete negation of

Emphasizes the cancellation or non-existence of something.

entire want of

Similar to lack, suggesting a deficiency.

blank nothingness of

Highlights the absence with the descriptive term 'nothingness'.

sheer nonexistence of

Focuses on the fact that something does not exist at all.

virtual absence of

Suggests an absence that is almost complete, though potentially not absolute.

FAQs

What does "sheer absence of" mean?

The phrase "sheer absence of" describes a situation where something is completely and utterly lacking. It emphasizes the total void or deficiency of a particular thing.

What can I say instead of "sheer absence of"?

You can use alternatives like "total lack of", "complete absence of", or "utter lack of" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context and level of emphasis you want to express.

How to use "sheer absence of" in a sentence?

You can use "sheer absence of" to describe the lack of something. For example: "The project failed due to the sheer absence of funding" or "The region suffered from the sheer absence of clean water".

Is there a difference between "absence of" and "sheer absence of"?

Yes, while "absence of" indicates a lack of something, "sheer absence of" emphasizes the completeness and significance of that lack. The addition of "sheer" intensifies the expression.