utter absence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utter absence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a complete lack of something, often in a dramatic or literary context. Example: "The room was filled with an utter absence of sound, making the tension palpable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Its aftermath lays bare a system with an utter absence of accountability.

The Washington Post

The utter absence of chemistry between these two reflects the film's overall clumsiness about its characters.

The New York Times

(The utter absence of rhythm here registers almost as an act of passive protest).

The New York Times - Arts

Every day was a game, and excellence was expected despite the utter absence of practice.

The New York Times

"The Coming Anarchy" is informed by a rock-solid, unwavering realism and an utter absence of sentimentality.

The New York Times - Books

No, porn is not the problem: it's the complete and utter absence of any other narrative that is, and the disappointing failure of our government to provide one.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Anyone who utters this sentence, in absence of special circumstances, would be taken to implicate that the woman in question was someone other than X's "wife, mother, sister, or perhaps even close platonic friend" (Ibid).

SEP

But it is not so easy to see how to carry this over to the treatment of accepting a moral judgment in the absence of uttering a moral sentence.

SEP

You remember the story -- Poitier's character, Mark Thackeray, takes a job teaching in downscale East London, and inherits a group of kids whose utter lack of self-respect and absence of life prospects renders them incapable of respecting others.

HuffPost

What Drip represents is the absence of true political leadership and an utter failure to engage in an open, mature, public debate about the clash between privacy and security online.

The Guardian - Tech

Thus, when we are attending to Sam's physical capabilities, and ignoring the absence of nearby water, what we express by uttering such a sentence may be true.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utter absence" to emphasize a complete and often surprising lack of something, especially when a degree of it might be expected.

Common error

Avoid using "utter absence" in situations where a simple "lack of" would suffice. The phrase is most effective when emphasizing a surprising or significant deficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter absence" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a state of lacking something completely. As evidenced by Ludwig, it serves to emphasize the completeness of this lack.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter absence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies a complete lack of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to emphasize this deficiency, often carrying a tone of surprise or concern. While suitable for various contexts, including news and media, science, and formal writing, it's most effective when highlighting a significant or unexpected lack. Remember, its usage is best reserved for situations where a simple 'lack of' would not sufficiently convey the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete lack

Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the deficiency.

total absence

Highlights the completeness of the absence, leaving no room for partial existence.

absolute lack

Stresses the definiteness and certainty of the deficiency.

sheer absence

Highlights the pure and unadulterated state of lacking something.

utter lack

Mirrors the original phrase but replaces "absence" with its synonym "lack".

complete void

Implies an emptiness and lack of substance beyond just absence.

total void

Similar to "complete void" but may suggest a larger scale of emptiness.

absence of any

Focuses on the lack of even a trace amount of something.

dearth of

Indicates a scarcity or insufficient amount of something required.

paucity of

Highlights the small quantity or limited availability of something.

FAQs

What does "utter absence" mean?

The phrase "utter absence" signifies a complete and total lack of something. It emphasizes that nothing of the specified thing exists or is present.

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

You can use "utter absence" to describe situations where something is entirely missing, such as, "The room was characterized by an "utter absence" of sound" or "There was an "utter absence" of remorse in his apology."

What are some alternatives to "utter absence"?

Alternatives include "complete lack", "total absence", or "absolute lack", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "utter absence" and "complete absence"?

While both phrases convey a total lack, "utter absence" often carries a stronger emphasis or a sense of surprise or dismay compared to "complete absence".