a gross lack of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a gross lack of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a significant deficiency or absence of something, often in a critical context. Example: "The report highlighted a gross lack of transparency in the company's financial dealings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

That betrays either astonishing cynicism or a gross lack of insight.

The Guardian

He had employed numerous actors, Mr. Cronyn wrote, "but with a gross lack of familial feeling and a marvelous evasiveness, he has always managed to avoid employing me".

The New York Times - Arts

These same proponents would undoubtedly consider it a gross lack of planning to build an airport whose only vehicular access was a narrow residential road.

The New York Times

The inspector general found that these communications showed "extremely poor judgment and a gross lack of professionalism," but did not conclude the investigations were "rigged" against Trump.

The Washington Post

The police chief in charge of the raid on Sir Cliff Richard's home has apologised to the singer after MPs said he showed a "gross lack of competence" for doing a controversial "sweetheart deal" with the BBC.

The Guardian

Term limits should be such that each president can appoint two justices, and Congress should not be able to prevent a president from appointing the two justices for anything less than a gross lack of qualification of the nominees.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Unfortunately, information offered during subsequent antenatal education sessions pointed to a gross lack in continuity of (preventive) care.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

"It's just a serious, gross lack of tact," Braden said.

The New York Times - Sports

One of the biggest things that stands out to me in the reaction to the alleged atrocities at Penn State (other than the fact that People magazine had the gross lack of judgment to call it a "sex scandal" -- child rape is to a "sex scandal" what mass murder is to professional wrestling -- is how little the public understands about pedophilia.

Huffington Post

I recently canceled my cable service because of the gross lack of quality in network programming.

The New York Times

"Most disturbing to the courts is the gross lack of responsibility shown by this defendant," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "a gross lack of" with a noun that specifies exactly what is missing, like "a gross lack of judgment" or "a gross lack of funding".

Common error

Avoid using "a gross lack of" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound overly negative or repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms or more specific descriptions of the deficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a gross lack of" functions as a modifier highlighting a significant deficiency or absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and used to emphasize a serious shortcoming. Examples show it pointing out deficiencies in judgment, professionalism, or resources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a gross lack of" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to emphasize a significant deficiency or absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it often carries a critical or disapproving tone, making it best suited for formal or professional contexts such as news reports, academic papers, or business assessments. Key to its effective use is following it with a specific noun to clarify the exact nature of the deficiency. While powerful, avoid overuse to maintain a balanced and nuanced writing style. Top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase to highlight serious shortcomings in various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious deficiency of

Emphasizes the severity of the lack.

a significant absence of

Highlights the notable absence of something.

a glaring inadequacy of

Indicates an obvious and easily noticeable lack.

a marked shortage of

Focuses on the insufficiency of something.

a conspicuous dearth of

Emphasizes a scarcity that is easily observed.

a profound deficit of

Highlights the depth and extent of the lack.

a notable insufficiency of

Emphasizes the inadequacy and its noteworthiness.

a terrible paucity of

Highlights a severe and distressing lack.

a complete void of

Indicates a total absence, emphasizing emptiness.

a striking absence of

Underlines how noticeable the absence is.

FAQs

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

You can use "a gross lack of" to highlight a significant deficiency or absence of something. For example, "The investigation revealed a gross lack of oversight in the department".

What are some alternatives to "a gross lack of"?

You can use alternatives like "a serious deficiency of", "a significant absence of", or "a glaring inadequacy of" depending on the context.

Is "a gross lack of" formal or informal?

"A gross lack of" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in formal writing and speech, particularly when criticizing or assessing shortcomings.

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

"A gross lack of" emphasizes a more severe or noticeable deficiency than simply "a lack of". The word "gross" amplifies the extent of the problem.