And lacking only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "And lacking only" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost complete but is missing one final element or aspect. Example: "The project is nearly finished, and lacking only a few final touches before submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I've spoken with Johan Bruyneel and, lacking only a few details, I'll go with him to Astana," Contador told the Spanish daily Marca.

The New York Times

The construct contained residues 1 288, comprising all HRMs and lacking only the membrane-spanning region at the C-terminus.

Biochemistry

This FGFR3-TACC3 proteincludesdes a large portion of the WT FGFR3 IIIb sequence covering the entire KD and lacking only a small portion at the C-terminus that is replaced by TACC3.

EBioMedicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Our mock duck in delicious green curry had the flavor and texture of the genuine article and lacked only its fatty crisped skin.

The New York Times

But we had a delightful time, with everyone agreeing that Vegas Venice was much cleaner than the real thing, and lacked only pigeons for verisimilitude.

The New York Times

We had huge idle resources as we do today and lacked only money, which it turned out the government and the Federal Reserve could create and deploy.

Huffington Post

The fear is a global influenza pandemic this highly pathogenic H5N1 strain (hereafter referred to as "HP-H5N1") is associated with human case fatality rates reportedly higher than in the 1918 "Spanish" flu pandemic, and lacks only the ability to be transmitted efficiently among humans [10] [12].

Plosone

The conjugative element Tn6224 harboured by plasmid pCTN1046 shares 96.2% nt sequence ID with the conjugative element Tn916 and lacks only two genes which encode hypothetical proteins in the conjugative region of Tn916.

BMC Genomics

Agrin loss of function mutants and mice lacking only z+ agrin exons have a significantly reduced number, size, and density of AChRs clusters on the muscle, even though some postsynaptic differentiation is present [24], [26].

Plosone

MCNA-PV-3138, left metatarsal 2; MCNA-PV-3139, articuleftd leftibiaia, fibula, astragalus and calcaneum lacking only the proximal end of the fibula.

Plosone

Like the Rippon, it was elegant and balanced, with mineral, fruit and oak flavors, lacking only the purity and focus of the Rippon.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and lacking only" to precisely indicate that something is complete except for a specific, often minor, element. This helps to clearly communicate the state of completeness.

Common error

Avoid using "and lacking only" in very informal or casual writing where simpler alternatives like "and just missing" might be more appropriate. The phrase can sound overly formal in relaxed settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and lacking only" functions as a conjunction phrase, linking a preceding clause to a qualification specifying what is absent. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in diverse contexts, ranging from describing missing genes in scientific research to pinpointing deficiencies in culinary experiences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "and lacking only" serves as a conjunction to precisely identify a single missing element. As highlighted by Ludwig, it often appears in formal contexts such as science and news, emphasizing the need for clarity and accuracy. While grammatically correct, "and lacking only" might sound too formal in casual conversation; simpler alternatives could be more appropriate. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and missing just

Emphasizes the absence of a single, specific element.

and needing only

Focuses on the requirement of a single, specific element.

and only missing

Inverts the structure, emphasizing what is absent.

and wanting only

A more direct way of saying something is needed.

and only absent

Highlights the absence of a particular element.

and deficient only in

More formal and emphasizes a specific deficiency.

and requiring but

A more formal and concise way of expressing the need for something.

and merely needing

Emphasizes the simplicity or smallness of what's required.

and falling short only by

Highlights a slight discrepancy or failure to reach a target.

and just short of

Expresses that something is very close to being complete.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "and lacking only" to sound more casual?

For a more casual tone, consider alternatives such as "and missing just" or "and just short of", which are less formal but convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "and lacking only"?

Yes, "and lacking only" is grammatically correct. It functions as a conjunction phrase, linking a preceding statement with the specification of what is missing or needed to complete something.

What's the difference between "and lacking only" and "and only lacking"?

While both phrases are similar, "and lacking only" emphasizes the absence of something specific, whereas "and only lacking" can be used to stress that the absence is the sole deficiency.

In what type of writing is "and lacking only" most appropriate?

"And lacking only" is appropriate for various writing styles, but it's particularly useful in formal writing, scientific reports, or news articles where precision is important.