when information is lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when information is lacking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where there is insufficient information available to make a decision or draw a conclusion. Example: "When information is lacking, it becomes challenging to assess the risks involved in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Experience equips you to fill in the gaps at the start of an incident when information is lacking, and also to weed out important information when it comes flooding in later on.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When information was lacking in a primary source, we sought additional information from the published literature, internet searches and/or the measure developer.

BMC Health Services Research

When information was lacking, other lists were used such as those from employers who provide lodging to employees, (Ungava's Tulattavik Health Centre, Inuulitsivik Health Centre, Kativik School Board, etc)., the Québec electoral roll, the Kativik Housing Bureau and the telephone directory.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Then I arrange my admission neither my general practitioner nor hospital physician care …" Being the key actor could cause some patients to blame themselves for not fulfilling the task of facilitating the handover when information was lacking between care settings.

BMJ Quality and Safety

Second, however, this particular cause of death is often ascribed when accurate information is lacking, particularly when people die of causes that are either poorly treated or not treated at all, when no autopsy is conducted, and when underlying causes leading to heart failure are never established.

Globalization and Health

Various forms of regulation are often used to improve the performance of markets when relevant information is lacking.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Canada has a national Oceans Strategy that strives for sustainable development and recommends a precautionary approach when scientific information is lacking or incomplete [70].

Plosone

Computational methods are useful for predicting the location of such binding sites when experimental information is lacking.

Bioinformatics

Importantly, MotifbreakR generates pseudocounts based on the number of observations listed for each motif in these databases, but defaults to 20 observations when this information is lacking.

Bioinformatics

Although these ABR measures may be used as proxies for individual-level factors when such information is lacking, they may also indicate features of residential environment that are associated with an outcome differently or independently of individual-level factors.

BMC Cancer

Cost for overheads like vehicle use and training were based on the primary target of the training or use of vehicle; when this information is lacking, costs were allocated based on the proportion of visits from children to the total number of visits.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "when information is lacking", ensure the context clearly indicates what decisions or actions are affected by the absence of information.

Common error

Avoid using "when information is lacking" as a blanket statement. Instead, specify the type of information that is absent and its relevance to the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when information is lacking" functions as an adverbial clause, setting a condition or circumstance under which a particular action, decision, or outcome is affected. This clause modifies the main clause by specifying the context of insufficient information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when information is lacking" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves as an adverbial clause that introduces a condition of insufficient data or knowledge. This phrase is most common in scientific and professional contexts, where the implications of missing information are crucial. While alternatives like "in the absence of information" or "when data is unavailable" exist, "when information is lacking" remains a versatile choice for expressing contingency based on informational gaps. It's important to use this phrase with specificity, clearly indicating what kind of information is absent and its relevance to the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the absence of information

Emphasizes the complete absence of information as a condition.

when data is unavailable

Focuses on the unavailability of data, a specific type of information.

if details are missing

Highlights the lack of specific details necessary for a complete understanding.

when knowledge is insufficient

Indicates a general lack of adequate knowledge on a subject.

where information is incomplete

Suggests that some information exists, but it's not comprehensive.

when evidence is scarce

Highlights the limited amount of supporting evidence.

if facts are unknown

Focuses on the state of factual information being unknown or unverified.

in situations lacking data

Reframes the phrase to emphasize specific situations or circumstances.

when intelligence is absent

Implies a lack of acquired or gathered intelligence, often in a strategic context.

given the paucity of information

Emphasizes the scarcity or limited quantity of information available.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "when information is lacking"?

You can use alternatives such as "in the absence of information", "when data is unavailable", or "if details are missing" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "when information is lacking" or "when information lacks"?

"When information is lacking" is generally preferred because it is a more common and natural-sounding construction. "When information lacks" is less frequently used.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "when information is lacking"?

It's appropriate to use "when information is lacking" when describing situations where the absence of certain information affects decision-making, analysis, or understanding. It's suitable for academic, professional, and general contexts.

What is the difference between "when information is lacking" and "due to a lack of information"?

"When information is lacking" introduces a condition, while "due to a lack of information" provides a reason or cause. The former is often used to set up a scenario, whereas the latter explains why something happened or is the case.