significant absence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant absence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a notable lack or nonexistence of something or someone in a particular context. Example: "The report highlighted a significant absence of data on the environmental impact of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

However, these efforts have failed to address the role of Afghan wheat landraces, a significant absence given the historical significance of this region in the domestication of wheat.

BMC Plant Biology

Presence fails to turn into significant absence, because presence was not present enough.

The New Yorker

The way to make "Ernani" work is to take it seriously, and given the story's significant absence of common sense, patience is required.

The New York Times - Arts

In spite of a lengthy association with the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and its figurative tradition, his transcendental vision is reinforced by the significant absence of human figures.

The New York Times

During his significant absence, the Yellow Submarine dramatically went from regular Champions League action to relegation to the Liga Adelante (Spain's second division).

The New York Times

"It's a noisy world we live in, isn't it?" He shouts at the taxi driver and the city in general: "Shut the fuck up, the lot of you!" New Order's latest resurrection has been marvellously unexpected, albeit coloured by a significant absence.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Pursuing their memories – and significant absences of memory – Folman investigates the trauma that has been eating at his generation, and at Israel, for more than two decades.

Independent

Jacques Lacan made much of the fact that in Poe's story every character is driven to act by a letter (or "signifier") whose contents are unknown, and the blankness of the purloined letter is just one of many significant absences to be found in Poe's work.

The Guardian - Books

Financial integration has no significant effect.The absence of a clear conclusion suggests two possibilities.

The Economist

Dysfunctional individuals (DYS) demonstrated more statistically significant sickness absence compared to adaptive copers (AC) after 36 months.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

That RSC Romeo and Juliet, like Earthquakes in London, was directed by Rupert Goold, who is also significant by his absence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant absence", ensure the context clearly establishes what is missing and why its absence is important. For example, "The investigation revealed a significant absence of safety protocols, leading to the accident."

Common error

Avoid using "significant absence" without clearly specifying what is absent. For example, instead of saying "There was a significant absence", specify "There was a significant absence of leadership during the crisis."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant absence" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a notable lack or omission. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant absence" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, as validated by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase to highlight the importance of a missing element across varied fields, especially science and news media. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly define what is absent and the impact it has. Alternatives include "noticeable lack" or "striking void", which offer similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis. Remember to avoid vagueness by specifying what is absent to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pronounced absence

Highlights the extent to which something is absent.

noticeable lack

Emphasizes the visibility or ease with which the absence is detected.

remarkable lack

Highlights how unusual or surprising the absence is.

marked omission

Highlights that something has been deliberately left out in a conspicuous way.

glaring deficiency

Conveys a strong sense of inadequacy due to the absence.

striking void

Focuses on the emptiness or gap created by the absence, making it visually or conceptually prominent.

conspicuous nonexistence

Draws attention to the obvious fact that something does not exist or is not present.

palpable want

Indicates that the absence is strongly felt or easily perceived.

major shortfall

Implies a failure to meet a required or expected level due to the absence.

considerable deficit

Suggests a substantial amount is missing, often in a quantifiable sense.

FAQs

How can I use "significant absence" in a sentence?

You can use "significant absence" to highlight a notable lack or omission. For instance, "The report noted a significant absence of female representation in leadership roles."

What phrases are similar to "significant absence"?

Alternatives include "noticeable lack", "marked omission", or "striking void", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "significant absence" or "noticeable absence"?

Both "significant absence" and "noticeable absence" are correct. "Significant absence" emphasizes the importance of what's missing, while "noticeable absence" simply highlights that it's easily observed.

What's the difference between "significant absence" and "absence"?

The term "absence" simply indicates that something is not present. Adding "significant" emphasizes that the absence is important or has a noticeable impact. In short, "significant absence" /s/significant+absence implies that the absence matters.