substantial absence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial absence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or considerable lack of presence or participation in a particular context, such as attendance or involvement. Example: "The substantial absence of key stakeholders during the meeting raised concerns about the project's future."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Monday, Vida Web Women in Literary Arts released their annual byline count, highlighting the substantial absence of women from many literary magazines.

The Guardian

Yet, though I was impressed by the technical energy of Saldana's performance, despite the misjudgment of her casting, I was struck by another, even more substantial absence, one that's emphasized by the clips of Simone that are on view in Garbus's documentary: with Saldana, the music seems to come from without rather than from within.

The New Yorker

Late approval of dedicated laws explains the substantial absence of any seismic damage reduction measures applied to the buildings hit by the 2012 earthquake, especially residential houses.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

"There is clear evidence that a significant lack of investment has led to a complete, or at least substantial, absence of services in many parts of the country".

BBC

In the case of websites, the internet gives access to a huge quantity of information, which may be either too general or non controlled or, worse, misleading due to the substantial "absence of a governing body or authority that serves a gate-keeping function for web publications" mentioned by Borowitz and Wyatt [9] more than 10 years ago.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The agreement between the bulk and individual frequency estimates shows a substantial absence of bias: the slope of regression between the two series of values was 1·0 and the intercept was 0·0, with an R of 0·93.

Annals of Botany

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Occupational health was usually involved only after substantial work absence.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The socioeconomic burden of AS patients is substantial since absence from work and work disability are increased by three-fold [ 2- 4].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

The figures show a substantial decrease in absence rates for illness between the autumn term of 2010 and the autumn term of 2011.

BBC

This drop may be partly down to a "substantial" decrease in absence in the autumn term 2011, which was due to a number of factors, government statisticians suggest, including a drop in pupils taking time off ill and the fact that the Muslim festival Eid fell out of term time.

BBC

As expected, the observed defect in sporozoite locomotion and invasion to mosquito salivary glands translates into a substantial delay or absence of infection during natural transmission.

Cellular Microbiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial absence", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking and why it is significant. This clarifies the impact of the absence.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial absence" when the lack is minor or inconsequential. Using it for trivial matters dilutes its impact and can make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial absence" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "absence". It describes a significant or considerable lack. Ludwig examples show this phrase used in varied contexts, confirming its role in indicating a notable deficiency.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantial absence" effectively conveys a significant lack or deficiency. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across varied contexts, predominantly in science, news, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, ensure that the context warrants the use of such a strong expression, avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Remember to clarify what is lacking and why it's significant. Consider alternatives like "significant lack" or "considerable dearth" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant lack

Emphasizes the importance of what is missing, highlighting the deficiency.

considerable dearth

Implies a noticeable scarcity or shortage of something.

marked deficiency

Indicates a clear and obvious inadequacy or shortfall.

noticeable omission

Focuses on the act of leaving something out that should have been included.

pronounced inadequacy

Suggests a strong and evident lack of something needed.

severe shortage

Highlights the extremity of the lack, implying a critical situation.

material want

Implies a crucial lack, especially concerning essential needs or requirements.

gross insufficiency

Indicates a glaring and significant lack of something.

serious deficit

Highlights the severity of the lack, implying potential negative consequences.

major void

Suggests a significant emptiness or gap that needs filling.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial absence" to describe a significant lack of something. For example, "The "substantial absence" of funding hindered the project's progress."

What are some alternatives to "substantial absence"?

Alternatives include "significant lack", "considerable dearth", or "marked deficiency" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "significant absence" or "substantial absence"?

Both "substantial absence" and "significant absence" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Substantial" implies a more considerable or noticeable lack.

What does "substantial absence" imply?

The phrase implies that the lack is not minor or negligible but rather significant enough to have a noticeable impact or effect. It's used to highlight a deficiency that matters.