something is absent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something is absent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular item, quality, or person is missing or not present in a given context. Example: "In this report, it is clear that something is absent, as we lack crucial data to support our conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"In the small town of Somers, Connecticut, near the Massachusetts border, the cofounder of a prominent American restaurant chain has built an apparently meticulous replica of Thomas Jefferson's mansion in Monticello, Virginia". James and Ghachem notice that something is absent, however.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As before, one can distinguish the question whether you perceive that something is absent, from the question whether absences can be represented in experience.

SEP

ThEeriness memorial fund for howeverisy here.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's colorful and fashionable but between the folds of disembodied silk blouses and dinner jackets, in the hollow eyes of an abandoned Ichimatsu doll, and between the sleeves of a child's kimono, something is missing, absent, incomplete.

The New Yorker

It's colorful and fashionable — but between the folds of disembodied silk blouses and dinner jackets, in the hollow eyes of an abandoned Ichimatsu doll, and between the sleeves of a child's kimono, something is missing, absent, incomplete.

The New Yorker

But something that is absent in our school is the involvement of the parents.

The Guardian

This is not so much nostalgia as it a sense of saudade — a longing for something that is absent.

The New York Times

Actresses, too, sought to evoke a sultry innocence, something that is absent in this era when cover photos of pouty-lipped, nearly naked actresses populate magazine racks.

The New York Times

Yet even here something intrinsic is absent: though there's pathos, the stench and degradation of the camps are omitted, and what is left is loss, the loss of children.

The New York Times - Books

To make sense of it all, you need to understand that Ms. Fineman's mission is to challenge something that is absent from the show: a different view of photography that prevailed among the intelligentsia for most of the 20th century.

The New York Times - Arts

Their homegrown productions may be several rungs beneath mainstream wrestling, but the promoters insist that their shows, which attract a mix of beer-swilling wrestling fans and families with young children, offer something that is absent in the big television productions: heart.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "something is absent", ensure the context clearly identifies what that 'something' is to avoid ambiguity. Be specific for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "something is absent" in overly complex sentences where it can muddy the meaning. Break down the sentence for better readability and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something is absent" primarily functions as a statement asserting the non-existence or lack of a specific element within a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something is absent" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to indicate the lack of a particular element or quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, its broad applicability makes it common across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what the 'something' refers to. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "something is missing" or "something is lacking" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something is missing

This alternative directly replaces "absent" with "missing", indicating a lack or loss.

something is lacking

This alternative uses "lacking" to suggest a deficiency or insufficiency.

something is not present

This option uses a more formal tone to express the absence of something.

something is unavailable

This alternative suggests that something cannot be accessed or obtained.

something is gone

This phrase indicates that something has disappeared or ceased to exist.

something is deficient

This suggests that something does not meet the required standard or is incomplete.

something is wanting

This alternative uses "wanting" to imply that something is needed or desired but not present.

something has vanished

This conveys that something has disappeared suddenly and completely.

something is non-existent

This states that something does not exist or is purely theoretical.

something is excluded

This implies that something has been deliberately left out or omitted.

FAQs

How can I use "something is absent" in a sentence?

Use "something is absent" to indicate that a particular element or quality is missing from a situation. For instance, "In this analysis, something is absent: a clear understanding of the market trends."

What's a more formal way to say "something is absent"?

A more formal alternative to "something is absent" could be "something is lacking" or "something is not present". These options provide a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

What can I say instead of "something is absent" to emphasize a deficiency?

To emphasize a deficiency, you might use phrases like "something is deficient" or "something is inadequate" instead of "something is absent".

How does "something is absent" differ from "something is missing"?

While both phrases indicate a lack, "something is missing" often implies a loss or that something was expected to be present, whereas "something is absent" can simply denote non-presence without the expectation of it being there. Consider alternatives like "something is lacking" or "something is not present".