a great lack of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great lack of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe a serious absence or deficiency of something. For example: "There is a great lack of financial resources available to the people in this community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

You can get a great lack of respect.

The Guardian

Mr. Zukin's latest poll found a "great lack of enthusiasm" among Democrats, he said.

The New York Times

The bull, as re-enacted here, is also endowed with a great lack of seriousness.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There was a great lack of understanding as to what a lack of accessibility means to disabled people.

The New York Times

"There's a great lack of trust that is no longer there," said Ioanna Vovou, who teaches media studies at Panteion University in Athens.

The New York Times

"There is a great lack of military caution and prudence on the part of those in command here," McBeth observed in a lengthy letter in February 1863.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

It is thought that one in 10 new mothers is affected by post-natal depression (PND), but rates among teenage mothers are higher and Solomon believes there is a greater lack of understanding and empathy in society when it comes to young mums.

BBC

The HG group displayed a greater lack of full relaxation with pacing frequency compared to nonHG controls.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

For vitality, patients diagnosed 5 9 years before presented a greater lack of vitality than those diagnosed 10 15 years before.

Blood Cancer Journal

The patients in the palliative group were older than the rest, and reported more dyspnea (70%) and a greater lack of wellbeing (70%).

BMC Palliative Care

Within the palliative subgroup, the 16 cancer patients reported a greater lack of wellbeing than non-cancer patients, while patients with non-cancer diagnoses reported more severe dyspnea.

BMC Palliative Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great lack of", ensure that the noun following 'of' is specific and clearly identifies what is missing or deficient. For example, "a great lack of funding" is more precise than "a great lack of resources".

Common error

While "great" intensifies the lack, overuse can weaken your writing. Consider synonyms like "significant", "considerable", or "substantial" to add variety and maintain impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great lack of" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It signifies a significant deficiency or absence of something, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great lack of" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to denote a significant deficiency or absence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While suitable for various contexts, consider synonyms to avoid overuse. Its function is to express a negative evaluation, and its register is generally neutral, lending itself to a broad range of applications. Remember to specify the noun that follows 'of' for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant deficiency in

Focuses on the inadequacy or shortage of something specific.

a considerable absence of

Emphasizes the non-existence or unavailability of something.

a marked shortage of

Highlights a noticeable and often problematic scarcity.

a profound dearth of

Indicates a severe and often lamentable lack.

a serious want of

Suggests a critical need that is not being met.

a notable scarcity of

Emphasizes that the lack is both evident and important.

a vast inadequacy in

Highlights the insufficiency or unsuitability of something for a particular purpose.

a glaring omission of

Draws attention to something that is conspicuously missing.

a critical deficit in

Indicates a shortfall that poses a substantial problem or risk.

a substantial insufficiency of

Focuses on the fact that something is not enough to meet requirements.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great lack of" to describe a significant deficiency or absence. For example, "There is "a great lack of understanding" about the issue".

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

Similar phrases include "a significant deficiency in", "a considerable absence of", or "a marked shortage of", all indicating a notable absence.

Is "a great lack of" formal or informal?

The phrase "a great lack of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider more precise synonyms depending on the specific context.

Can I use "large lack of" instead of "a great lack of"?

While "large lack of" might be understood, "a great lack of" is the more idiomatic and commonly accepted phrasing to express a significant deficiency.