total lack

USAGE SUMMARY

"total lack" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which there is no trace of something, or a situation in which nothing is left. For example: "The city is in a state of total lack after the war."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Total lack of perspective.

The Guardian - Sport

There is a total lack.

The New York Times

They have a total lack of experience.

Independent

Once again, a total lack of understanding.

The New York Times

"There is a total lack of transparency.

The Economist

"I have a total lack of game".

The New York Times

"There is a total lack of accountability".

The New York Times

It's a total lack of respect".

The Guardian - Sport

"That's a total lack of leadership".

The New York Times

There is a total lack of dignity.

The Guardian

"There is a total lack of hope for the Rohingya.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "total lack" to express a complete absence or deficiency when a more emphatic phrase is needed. It's stronger than simply saying "lack".

Common error

While "total lack" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal writing. Consider more nuanced alternatives such as "complete absence" or "utter deficiency" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total lack" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It denotes a complete absence or deficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. Examples include: "a total lack of respect" or "total lack of understanding".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "total lack" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a complete absence or deficiency. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. While versatile, consider its impact and explore alternatives like "complete absence" or "utter deficiency" for nuanced expression. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase is best employed when you need to emphasize a significant absence. Remember that, while grammatically correct, it's important to use a variety of expressions in formal writing for better style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete absence

Replaces "total lack" with a more formal noun phrase, emphasizing the absence of something.

utter absence

Similar to "complete absence", but uses "utter" to intensify the feeling of absence.

complete deficiency

Focuses on the inadequacy or shortage of something, rather than its outright absence.

utter inadequacy

Emphasizes the extreme insufficiency or unsuitability of something.

absence in its entirety

A more verbose way of saying "total lack", stressing the completeness of the absence.

entirely devoid of

Uses an adjective phrase to describe something that is completely without something else.

completely wanting in

Similar to "entirely devoid of", but with a slightly different phrasing.

a dearth of

Indicates a scarcity or lack of something, often used in a more formal context.

non-existence of

Highlights the absence to the point of something not existing.

zero presence of

Directly states that something has no presence whatsoever.

FAQs

How can I use "total lack" in a sentence?

You can use "total lack" to describe the complete absence of something. For example, "There was a "total lack" of evidence to support the claim" or "The project failed due to a "total lack" of planning".

What are some synonyms for "total lack"?

Some synonyms for "total lack" include "complete absence", "utter deficiency", and "complete inadequacy". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "total lack of" something?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use the phrase "total lack of" followed by a noun. For example, "total lack of communication" or "total lack of respect" are both grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "lack of" and "total lack of"?

"Lack of" indicates a deficiency or shortage, while "total lack of" indicates a complete absence. "Total lack of" is a stronger and more emphatic phrase than "lack of".