Lacking sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Lacking sense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not make logical sense or is unreasonable. Example: "His argument was lacking sense, making it difficult to take him seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

By Jeffrey Frank March 14, 2017 Donald Trump's decision to retreat to Mar-a-Lago instead of to Camp David encapsulates his lacking sense of the history and traditions of his office.

The New Yorker

In lanes between white fields, where young beasts lowed plaintively, lacking sense to clear the covering and reach the grass, my cycle tyres crunched through the sugary compound on the unswept surface.

The Guardian

It is notable that so many women of color persisted in the major despite lacking sense of belonging.

International Journal of STEM Education

Hello and welcome back to Equity, TechCrunch's venture capital-focused podcast where each week we discuss other people's copious dollars and lacking sense.

TechCrunch

"I passed by the field of the sluggard and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense, and behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles;" [not invested for a good return] "its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It totally lacks sense and credibility".

The Guardian

Never mind that these vague scenarios lacked sense (and, as it turned out, substance).

The New Yorker

Occasionally someone's dog or cat that lacked sense or agility was crushed beneath one of their big, sleek cars.

The New Yorker

; Visa and MasterCard lose $8.5 billion to deadbeats, but easily cover that from solvent card customers.; But some people lack security, while others lack sense.

Forbes

They seemed to lack sense, direction or control; they were throwing plant pots at other plant pots.

Vice

"Some of my clients still think they are Napoleon," said another project leader to illustrate that clients may lack sense of reality.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lacking sense" when you want to emphasize the absence of logical reasoning or understanding in a particular situation or argument.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "lacking sense" might sound less sophisticated in very formal contexts. Consider stronger synonyms like "irrational" or "unfounded" for a more impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking sense" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a deficiency in reason, logic, or understanding. It describes something as not being sensible or rational. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lacking sense" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is illogical or unreasonable. While Ludwig AI marks it as usable, it is relatively rare, appearing primarily in news and media, scientific, and wiki contexts. For formal writing, alternatives like "irrational" or "unfounded" may be more suitable. The phrase effectively conveys criticism or disapproval of something deemed nonsensical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Making no sense

Focuses on the incomprehensibility of something.

Unreasonable

Describes something as not being in accordance with reason or good judgment.

Irrational

Indicates a lack of rational thought or behavior.

Illogical

Highlights a contradiction or violation of logical principles.

Senseless

Indicates a lack of purpose, meaning, or reason.

Without logic

Directly points out the absence of logical principles or coherence.

Absurd

Suggests extreme unreasonableness or ridiculousness.

Devoid of reason

Emphasizes the absence of logical thought or rationale.

Bereft of understanding

Highlights a complete absence of comprehension or insight.

Inane

Points to emptiness, shallowness, or silliness.

FAQs

How can I use "lacking sense" in a sentence?

You can use "lacking sense" to describe arguments, decisions, or behaviors that don't seem reasonable or logical. For example, "His explanation was "lacking sense", so no one believed him."

What's a more formal alternative to "lacking sense"?

In formal writing, consider alternatives such as "irrational", "unfounded", or "implausible". These options often convey a stronger sense of disapproval or disbelief.

Is it correct to say "lack of sense" instead of "lacking sense"?

Yes, "lack of sense" is also correct. It's a noun phrase that conveys a similar meaning to the adjective phrase "lacking sense". For example, "There was a "lack of sense" in his decision."

What's the difference between "lacking sense" and "making no sense"?

"Lacking sense" generally describes something that is inherently unreasonable or illogical. "Making no sense" focuses more on the incomprehensibility of something. While similar, "making no sense" emphasizes confusion, whereas "lacking sense" emphasizes flawed reasoning.