which in the absence of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which in the absence of" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used to introduce a circumstance or condition that is necessary for something else to occur or be effective. It is often used to show causation or to explain a situation. Example: "The backup generator, which in the absence of electricity, provides power to the entire building, suddenly malfunctioned."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's an app which, in the absence of any better name, I'm planning to call "Big Brother".

The Times

n114 Those recommendations were quickly embodied in proposed legislation, which, in the absence of organized opposition, initially seemed assured of passage.

Harvard University

On the negative side, having millions of publishers implied extraordinary complexity and demanded Herculean administrative effort, which, in the absence of new methods, would dramatically decrease advertising efficiency.

Harvard Business Review

Which, in the absence of us returning to the moon in the near future, leaves live reality TV shows and live sport.

The Guardian - Sport

Malcolm's critique of her subjects is tempered by an equally stringent self-criticism, which, in the absence of much humour, can present now and then as piety.

The Guardian

Transcriptional activation of Hedgehog (Hh) target genes requires Cubitus interruptus, a 155 kDa cytoplasmic zinc finger protein (Ci155), which in the absence of Hh signaling is processed to form a nuclear repressor (Ci75).

Stanford University

It will embrace those presumably causally linked, usually (but by no means always) but for causes to which, in the absence of certain specified defenses, a particular legal system wishes to assign at least partial responsibility for an accident...

Harvard University

(a) The contract creates a monopoly, which, in the absence of an express grant from the legislature of power so to do, or such power necessarily implied, is void as in contravention of public policy.

Cornell University

He then mixed it in solution with a sugar-binding molecule, which, in the absence of any other sugars, immediately binds to the sugar groups attached to the insulin.

MIT Technology Review

Studies of this reconstitution reaction led to the discovery that viral infectivity resides in the nucleic acid portion of the virus, which in the absence of the viral protein is broken down by RNA-splitting enzymes, or nucleases.

Britannica

Next up, the vexed issue of the oil-fired Rayburn, which, in the absence of gas in the area, burns around 1,600 litres of kerosene a year, cooks and heats all the water and the 12 radiators.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which in the absence of", ensure the clause clearly modifies the noun it follows, and the sentence maintains a logical flow to prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "which in the absence of" in restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence's meaning) as "that" is generally preferred. "Which" is best suited for non-restrictive clauses, which add extra information but aren't crucial to the sentence's core meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which in the absence of" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or noun phrase by specifying a condition under which a certain outcome or state will occur. It introduces a circumstance that, if not present, affects the main clause, as demonstrated in the examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

30%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which in the absence of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used relative clause that sets a condition affecting the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its prevalence across diverse sources, especially in science, news, and academic writing. Its formality makes it suitable for professional and academic contexts, whereas simpler alternatives may be preferable in informal settings. When employing this phrase, ensure the clause clearly modifies the intended noun and that the sentence maintains logical coherence for optimal clarity. The related phrases offer similar nuanced alternatives, while understanding common errors, such as misuse in restrictive clauses, can refine writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the absence of

This is very close to the original phrase, but omits "which".

without

This alternative provides a shorter, more direct way to express the lack of something.

absent

A more concise way to state that something is not present.

lacking

Similar to "without", but can emphasize a deficiency or need.

missing

Simply states that something is not there.

if there is no

Breaks down the phrase into a more explicit conditional statement.

failing

Implies that something will not happen if a condition is not met.

devoid of

Emphasizes a complete lack or emptiness.

bereft of

Suggests a deprivation or loss.

in default of

Formal alternative, emphasizing a failure to provide something required.

FAQs

How can I use "which in the absence of" in a sentence?

Use "which in the absence of" to introduce a condition that, if not met, affects the outcome or state described in the main clause. For example, "The process, which in the absence of proper ventilation can be dangerous, requires careful monitoring."

What are some alternatives to "which in the absence of"?

Alternatives include "without", "lacking", or "absent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "that" or "which in the absence of"?

"That" is typically used for restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence), while "which in the absence of" is suitable for non-restrictive clauses (adding extra, non-essential information). Always use "which" with a comma before it in non-restrictive clauses.

What is the difference between "in the absence of" and "which in the absence of"?

"In the absence of" introduces a general condition, while "which in the absence of" modifies a specific noun or clause, providing additional information about the conditions affecting that noun or clause.