Found to be wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Found to be wanting" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something or someone has been judged to be lacking or insufficient in some way. Example: "The proposal was found to be wanting in several key areas, leading to its rejection by the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Every aspect of the proposals were hashed out, were analyzed and were found to be wanting".

The New York Times

But in real-world applications, these methods have been found to be wanting in terms of accuracy or conditions of application.

Soft Computing in Textile Engineering

The conventional utilitarian framework is found to be wanting, as it leads to prescriptions that conflict with many individuals' moral intuitions.

Harvard University

He said: "A lot of this is about people investing in careers, in products, in ways of making a living that have frankly been found to be wanting.

The New York Times

Those concerned about climate change will have to re-prosecute the case over time, as international action accelerates and Direct Action is found to be wanting.

The Guardian

"We rely on the processes within institutions to investigate allegations of fraud, and if they are found to be wanting, that is extremely disappointing," he said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

One driver was found to be wanted for aggravated assault.

The New York Times

In the process they were identified and often found to be wanted for other violations and crimes.

Forbes

The "military covenant", now enshrined in law, was found to be sadly wanting.

The Guardian - Opinion

The effectiveness of CCTV has been tested over and over again, and found to be grossly wanting.

Independent

Ministers will now have to contemplate further changes to the NHS's system of regulation – which Francis has found to be seriously wanting – and monitoring of hospitals.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Found to be wanting" when you want to express that something has been assessed and deemed inadequate or insufficient. It is particularly useful when highlighting a gap between expectation and reality.

Common error

Avoid using "Found to be wanting" without clearly specifying what is lacking. Ensure the context makes it clear which specific aspects or qualities are deficient, rather than leaving it open to vague interpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found to be wanting" typically functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a subject. It indicates that the subject has been evaluated and determined to be deficient or inadequate. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with multiple examples across various sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "found to be wanting" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something has been judged as inadequate or insufficient. Ludwig AI confirms that it's often used in news, science, and academic contexts to convey a negative assessment. While relatively formal, it remains a versatile expression. Consider alternatives like "deemed inadequate" or "considered insufficient" for variety, but ensure you specify what is lacking to avoid ambiguity. The analysis shows it's a useful phrase in various contexts, especially when communicating a critical evaluation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Deemed inadequate

Replaces "found to be wanting" with a more direct and concise expression of inadequacy.

Considered insufficient

Uses "considered" to emphasize a judgment of insufficiency, offering a slightly more formal tone.

Proven to be deficient

Emphasizes the verification or demonstration of a deficiency, suggesting a more rigorous assessment.

Lacking in substance

Focuses on the absence of essential qualities or content, highlighting a specific type of deficiency.

Turned out to be inadequate

Emphasizes the element of discovery, suggesting the inadequacy was revealed over time.

Fell short of expectations

Highlights the failure to meet anticipated standards or requirements.

Did not measure up

A more informal way of saying something didn't meet the required standard.

Demonstrated a lack of

Directly points out the absence of a specific quality or feature.

Was shown to be defective

Implies a flaw or imperfection that compromises functionality or quality.

Failed to suffice

Focuses on the inability to meet a specific need or purpose.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is "found to be wanting"?

When something is "found to be wanting", it means that after evaluation, it has been determined to be inadequate, deficient, or not up to the required standard. It implies a lack of necessary qualities or features.

How can I use "found to be wanting" in a sentence?

You can use "found to be wanting" to describe anything that doesn't meet expectations or requirements. For example, "The initial proposal was "deemed inadequate" and needed significant revisions."

What are some alternatives to "found to be wanting"?

Some alternatives include "deemed inadequate", "considered insufficient", "lacking in substance", or "fell short of expectations". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it formal or informal to say something was "found to be wanting"?

"Found to be wanting" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression. It's suitable for use in professional, academic, and news contexts, but may sound somewhat stilted in casual conversation. For informal settings, consider simpler alternatives like "not good enough" or "didn't measure up".