nonexistence

/ˌnän-ig-ˈzi-stən(t)s/ (ame, mw)

nonexistence — noun

1. the condition of something or someone not being real or not being present in the

1.名詞C1
釋義

the condition of something or someone not being real or not being present in the world.

例句

Felipe's lawyer cited the nonexistence of any written contract between the two companies.

collocation: the nonexistence of + noun

Many ancient maps assume the nonexistence of lands beyond the western ocean.

同義詞
  • absence

    much more common; works in everyday and formal registers

  • nonbeing

    philosophical; emphasises the state of not being at all

  • nullity

    legal; the state of being null or void

反義詞
  • existence

    the direct opposite; far more common

  • presence

    emphasises being there in a place

文法句型

the nonexistence of [something]

用法筆記

Almost always preceded by 'the' and followed by 'of + noun'. Subject is typically an abstract or evidentiary noun (god, free will, evidence, records). In everyday speech, native speakers prefer 'absence' or 'lack'; 'nonexistence' is reserved for formal, legal, philosophical, or scientific writing.

常見錯誤

❌There is a nonexistence of milk in the fridge.
✅There is no milk in the fridge.
💡'nonexistence' is too formal for everyday lack; use 'no' or 'lack of' instead.
❌a nonexistence
✅the nonexistence
💡the word is uncountable; do not use the indefinite article 'a'.