in the absence of

IPA/ɪnðɪ ˈabsəns ɒv/
IPA/ɪnðɪ ˈæbsəns ʌv/

in the absence of — idiom

1. describing a situation that exists or an event that takes place because a partic

1.慣用語B1
釋義

describing a situation that exists or an event that takes place because a particular person, thing, or condition is missing — or simply during the time when it is missing.

例句

In the absence of the manager, Salma made the decision to close the store early.

in the absence of + person; causal meaning

The old building collapsed in the absence of any repairs for over forty years.

in the absence of + abstract noun; causal meaning

同義詞
  • without

    shorter, more direct; works in most contexts where 'in the absence of' fits

  • lacking

    emphasises insufficiency rather than total absence; slightly less formal

  • for want of

    formal/literary register; stresses the causal link between absence and result

  • in default of

    formal, especially legal contexts

反義詞
  • in the presence of

    direct opposite; emphasises that something happens while someone is there

  • with

    simpler antonym; signals that the needed thing is available

文法句型

in the absence of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common in both formal and informal English. The phrase can carry either a temporal meaning (during the time someone is away) or a causal meaning (because something does not exist); context makes the distinction clear.

常見錯誤

❌In the lack of evidence, the case was dropped.
✅In the absence of evidence, the case was dropped.
💡'lack' is a noun meaning 'not enough of something,' but the fixed phrase uses 'absence.'
❌In the absent of the teacher, the class was noisy.
✅In the absence of the teacher, the class was noisy.
💡'absent' is an adjective; the noun form 'absence' is required in this phrase.