Lacking stamina

USAGE SUMMARY

"Lacking stamina" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who does not have enough endurance or energy for physical activities. Example: "After running for just a few minutes, he realized he was lacking stamina." Alternative expressions include "low on endurance," "short on energy," and "devoid of stamina."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Tech

Lifestyle

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It gave her freedom, but it also became a weakness; lacking stamina, she dispersed herself too widely in different effects".

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Tamm, a corps de ballet member with height and an elegant line, is heroic yet lacking stamina.

The New York Times - Arts

Even before the latest incident, Mr. Kaine had tried to defend Mrs. Clinton against questions about her health, while also calling on Mr. Trump, who had accused Mrs. Clinton of lacking stamina, to be more forthcoming about his own health.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's not that I lack stamina.

The New York Times

It centered on the belief that nonwhites lacked stamina and physical toughness.

The New York Times

It centered on the belief that non-whites lacked stamina and physical toughness.

The New York Times

"If we had a person who lacked stamina last night, it was Donald Trump".

The New York Times

The speedy ostrich can race off ahead but lacks stamina, whereas the giraffe has lower running speeds but plenty of stamina (and more reach).

The Guardian - Tech

Mr. Trump had initially avoided using Mrs. Clinton's illness against her, but recently mocked her stumble publicly and said it was more evidence that she lacked stamina.

The New York Times

With treatments of antidepressants, biofeedback and counseling, Mr. Sugihara has found his life slowly edging toward normality since, although he says he still lacks stamina.

The New York Times

They were barred from some sports for decades; restricted from certain events because they supposedly lacked stamina or would become masculinized; subjected to gender testing; and had their athleticism suppressed in attempts to feminize them.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific activity, follow "lacking stamina" with a prepositional phrase indicating the area where stamina is deficient. For example, "lacking stamina for long-distance running" or "lacking stamina in the final quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "lacking stamina" as a blanket statement without specifying the context. Be precise about whether the lack of stamina is physical, mental, or related to a particular activity to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking stamina" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun (often implied), describing a deficiency in endurance or energy. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Arts

10%

Lifestyle

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lacking stamina" correctly describes a deficiency in endurance or energy and is most frequently found in News & Media, Sports, and Scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is acceptable in written English. While grammatically sound, it's advisable to specify the type of stamina (physical or mental) for clarity. If you need alternatives, consider phrases such as "deficient in energy" or "having little endurance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having little endurance

This alternative directly replaces "stamina" with its synonym "endurance", maintaining a similar structure.

without sufficient endurance

Using "without sufficient endurance" provides a slightly more formal way of expressing the same concept.

deficient in energy

This phrase uses "deficient" instead of "lacking", emphasizing a shortage of energy rather than staying power.

low on vitality

This alternative replaces "stamina" with "vitality", highlighting a reduced level of overall vigor and life force.

short on staying power

This phrase uses a more informal expression, "staying power", which refers specifically to the ability to continue an activity for an extended time.

having reduced vigor

This phrase uses "reduced vigor" to denote a decrease in physical or mental strength and energy.

unable to sustain effort

This alternative describes the inability to maintain a consistent level of exertion over time.

experiencing fatigue

This alternative focuses on the feeling of tiredness and weariness that results from lacking stamina.

showing signs of exhaustion

This phrase describes observable indicators of being depleted of energy and physical capacity.

not up to the task physically

This alternative widens the context to suggest an overall unsuitability for a physical challenge due to insufficient stamina.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "lacking stamina" in a formal context?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "deficient in energy", "without sufficient endurance", or "unable to sustain effort".

What are some common causes of lacking stamina?

Factors contributing to lacking stamina include poor nutrition, insufficient sleep, underlying health conditions, and inadequate physical activity. It's important to address these factors to improve overall endurance.

Is "lacking stamina" a permanent condition?

Not necessarily. Stamina can often be improved through targeted exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate rest. However, in some cases, it may be related to an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.

Can "lacking stamina" affect mental performance?

Yes, physical and mental stamina are interconnected. A lack of physical stamina can lead to mental fatigue, reduced concentration, and decreased cognitive performance. In contrast, good physical stamina supports improved mental clarity and focus.