a dreadful lack of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dreadful lack of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant deficiency or absence of something, often conveying a strong negative sentiment. Example: "The report highlighted a dreadful lack of resources available for the project, which hindered its progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Depending on which side one supports, the Aston Villa striker either showed brilliant cunning to win his side a corner or a dreadful lack of sportsmanship.

Independent

Barack Obama is apparently a nice guy, with a lovely family, and a phenomenal campaigner, but he brought to the White House a dreadful lack of management expertise.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's accompanied by dreadful lack of reporting, as if this were a first draft Mamet wrote in one sitting and then hit "send" on an email to an editor before reading what he'd written.

Huffington Post

"It indicated," he says, "the most dreadful lack of emotion, lack of sentiment, lack of true feeling.

Forbes

"We saw some dreadful incidences of a lack of workplace safety and we saw some very tragic results as a consequence".

The Guardian

Count the exurbs in neighbouring states, and that swells to 21m.Already one of the largest urban areas on the planet, and growing fast, its national dominance is thus assured (though so, too, are dreadful air pollution, a lack of clean water and vast, sprawling slums).

The Economist

England, however, paid a heavy price for failing to capitalise fully on that superiority and for a dreadful second half display lacking any semblance of composure or cohesion.

BBC

Well, what a dreadful set of numbers.

The Guardian - Business

I think it's a dreadful time of life".

The New Yorker

The "World" is having a dreadful attack of Rooseveltphobia.

The New York Times

"This is a dreadful piece of science".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a dreadful lack of", ensure that the noun following 'of' is specific and clearly defines what is missing. This adds clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a dreadful lack of" can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like 'not enough' or 'a shortage of' for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dreadful lack of" functions as a noun phrase modifier, emphasizing the severity or negativity associated with the absence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable. Examples show its use to highlight deficiencies in management expertise or sportsmanship.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a dreadful lack of" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used to highlight a severe deficiency or absence, conveying a strong negative sentiment. While its usage is relatively rare, the phrase appears mostly in news articles, formal documents, and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the noun following "of" is specific for clarity. If you seek alternative ways to convey the same meaning, consider options such as "a severe deficiency of" or "a significant deficit of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a severe deficiency of

Emphasizes the intensity of the lack.

a significant deficit of

Highlights the quantifiable aspect of the shortage.

a marked absence of

Focuses on the clear and noticeable non-existence.

a glaring shortage of

Stresses the obvious and conspicuous nature of the lack.

a profound scarcity of

Indicates a deep and impactful shortage.

a critical need for

Shifts the focus to the urgency implied by the lack.

a troubling inadequacy of

Highlights the problematic nature of the deficiency.

a worrying dearth of

Emphasizes the concern caused by the limited supply.

a distressing insufficiency of

Focuses on the upsetting nature of the inadequate amount.

a regrettable paucity of

Highlights the unfortunate smallness of the quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "a dreadful lack of" in a sentence?

You can use "a dreadful lack of" to emphasize a significant shortage or absence of something. For example, 'The project failed due to a dreadful lack of funding'.

What phrases are similar to "a dreadful lack of"?

Alternatives include "a severe deficiency of", "a significant deficit of", or "a marked absence of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a dreadful lack of" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a dreadful lack of" can sometimes sound hyperbolic. Assess your writing's tone to ensure it aligns with the seriousness of the subject matter. Consider alternatives such as "significant deficiency" or "serious shortage".

What's the difference between "a dreadful lack of" and "a lack of"?

"A dreadful lack of" emphasizes the severity and negative impact of the deficiency, while "a lack of" simply indicates an absence. The former conveys a stronger sense of urgency or concern.