In the absence of means without, or because there is no. In the absence of reliable figures, the report gives a range. In someone's absence means while they're away: Luca will chair the meeting in the manager's absence. The phrase belongs in reports, letters and IELTS Writing; in conversation, without is simpler.
How would you use in the absence of?
Write a sentence — we'll check that the word fits the meaning and suggest what to fix.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
in the absence of + noun / in someone's absence
- In the absence of a timetable, we agreed to check progress every Friday.
- In the absence of reliable figures, the report gives a range rather than a single total.
- Luca will chair the meeting in the manager's absence.
What changed
First versionIn absence of reliable figures, the report gives a range rather than a single total.
RevisionIn the absence of reliable figures, the report gives a range rather than a single total.
Short words in the middle of fixed phrases are easy to drop, especially the: in absence of. But here the is required: in the absence of. Without it, the phrase looks wrong, and it shows most in the formal writing where this phrase lives.
Without is simpler and more conversational: We can't start without the manager. In the absence of is more formal and usually explains why you had to act differently: In the absence of the manager, Luca will chair the meeting. With a person, in her absence works too, with no of.
Your turn
No instructions have been supplied: In the absence ___ instructions, ask the organizer before starting.
Show the answer
of — The fixed form is in the absence of. From appears in absence from work, being away from your job, but it doesn't work in this phrase.
Describe how you managed when something was missing: a tool, a map, the right person. Use in the absence of.
In the absence of a projector, we will give each group a printed copy of the diagram.
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.