wholly absent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly absent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely missing or not present at all. Example: "The evidence was wholly absent from the report, leading to questions about its validity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Instead, they're wholly absent.

The Guardian - Film

The will to resist was wholly absent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the modern craving for stimulation is wholly absent.

The New Yorker

And the law requires fairness, something wholly absent from the control orders regime.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sacred elements are wholly absent from the site, known as the Camera di San Paolo.

The New York Times - Arts

Anger clearly has its proper place at work, which is neither wholly absent nor ever present.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Completely absent.

Huffington Post

While her lady writes, engrossed, the maid is absent, wholly focused on the daylight outside.

Independent

Yet stories of drunk, absent or wholly unqualified teachers abound.

The Economist

The classical tradition's imprint on his writing is never absent, even though the Concerto inhabits a wholly 20th-century soundworld.

The Guardian - Music

At E18.5, Lmx1b signal, previously already absent at r11, seems now to have been wholly downregulated at r10, and is partly reduced at r9, where we detected many serotonin-positive cells negative for this gene.

Brain Structure and Function

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wholly absent" when you want to emphasize that something is completely and unequivocally missing. It adds a formal tone and highlights the significance of the absence.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly absent" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "completely missing" or "totally gone" to maintain a natural and accessible tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly absent" functions as an adverbial modifier emphasizing the degree to which something is not present. It intensifies the adjective "absent", indicating a complete lack. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which identifies it as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wholly absent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies a complete lack of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appropriate for use in written English. It's most common in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts, imparting a level of formality. While effective for emphasizing complete absence, consider alternatives like "completely missing" or "entirely lacking" for less formal settings. Remember to use "wholly absent" when you wish to stress the absolute absence of a particular element, but be mindful of its formal tone to maintain consistency with your writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely absent

Interchanges "wholly" with "completely", offering a different adverbial emphasis.

altogether absent

Similar to "wholly absent", but uses "altogether" as an alternative adverb.

entirely absent

Replaces "wholly" with "entirely", a synonym, making the phrase slightly more formal.

fully absent

Replaces "wholly" with "fully", a near synonym, maintaining the original meaning.

utterly absent

Substitutes "wholly" with "utterly" emphasizing the completeness of absence.

completely lacking

Replaces "absent" with "lacking" to emphasize the deficiency.

entirely missing

Substitutes "wholly" with "entirely" and "absent" with "missing", offering a more direct synonym.

quite absent

Emphasizes the degree of absence, but might imply a slightly lesser degree than 'wholly'.

totally devoid

Uses "devoid" to highlight the complete absence of something, implying emptiness.

utterly without

Replaces "absent" with "without", emphasizing a complete lack of possession or presence.

FAQs

How can I use "wholly absent" in a sentence?

Use "wholly absent" to emphasize that something is completely missing or lacking. For example: "The evidence was "wholly absent" from the report."

What are some alternatives to "wholly absent"?

You can use alternatives like "completely missing", "entirely lacking", or "totally devoid" depending on the context.

Is "wholly absent" more formal than "completely absent"?

Yes, "wholly absent" tends to be slightly more formal and emphasizes the completeness of the absence. "Completely absent" is generally more common and acceptable in a broader range of contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "wholly absent" instead of other similar phrases?

Use "wholly absent" in situations where you want to create a strong and formal impression of something being entirely missing. This is often suitable in academic, legal, or technical writing where precision is important.