a lack of guidance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lack of guidance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is insufficient direction or support provided to someone. Example: "The students struggled with their projects due to a lack of guidance from their teachers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There is a lack of guidance on how to support literacy with digital technologies," says Flewitt.

The Guardian

A lack of guidance means junior doctors are forced to learn on the job.

The Guardian

I don't know about that, but I do know that I have suffered from a lack of guidance.

The Guardian

The harsh and cruel reality is a lack of guidance and investment has left the titles cast adrift.

The Guardian

Like others on the transit board, Dyke said, he was frustrated by a lack of guidance from above.

The Washington Post

Several U.S. diplomats in different countries have complained of a lack of guidance and information from headquarters under Tillerson.

The Washington Post

A bigger challenge over the years, he says, has been a lack of guidance on how to run a workers' co-op.

The Guardian

Darlene Thomas, executive director of the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program, said the problem was a lack of guidance for law enforcement officials.

The New York Times

However, there is still a lack of guidance in wastewater conditioning to achieve optimum microalgae growth rate and complete N and P consumption in wastewater.

Biomass and Bioenergy

Recent papers on the fatigue design of aluminum welds have highlighted a lack of guidance on the assessment of structures containing joints made by friction stir welding (FSW).

Engineering Fracture Mechanics

Her inquiry found an "alarming inconsistency" in how schools deal with sexual harassment and violence, with many under-reporting incidents, a disregard for existing national and international equality obligations and a lack of guidance and support for teachers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lack of guidance", clearly specify who or what is lacking the guidance to provide context for the deficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "a lack of guidance" without specifying the subject or context. For example, instead of saying "there was a lack of guidance", specify "there was a lack of guidance for new employees".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lack of guidance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the absence of direction or support, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples which illustrate various contexts where such absence leads to negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lack of guidance" is a versatile and frequently used expression to denote the absence or insufficiency of direction or support. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media, Science and Academia. While seemingly straightforward, it's crucial to provide context on what or who is missing guidance to avoid ambiguity. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "insufficient direction" or "inadequate support", which provide nuanced ways to convey the same core meaning. By using "a lack of guidance" precisely and thoughtfully, writers can effectively communicate challenges stemming from missing or insufficient direction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate support

Stresses the insufficiency of assistance provided.

insufficient direction

Emphasizes the absence of clear instructions or pathways.

limited instruction

Highlights the restricted nature of the teaching or briefing given.

no clear roadmap

Illustrates the absence of a well-defined plan or strategy.

absence of mentorship

Highlights the missing element of experienced guidance and support.

shortage of advice

Emphasizes the unavailability of counsel or recommendations.

deficiency of leadership

Focuses on the lack of direction from those in charge.

missing framework

Highlights the lack of a structural foundation for guidance.

want of direction

A more formal way to express a need for clear guidance.

paucity of orientation

Focuses on the scarcity of introductory or explanatory information.

FAQs

What does "a lack of guidance" mean?

The phrase "a lack of guidance" describes a situation where there is an absence or insufficiency of direction, instruction, or support, often leading to confusion or difficulty in achieving a goal.

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

You can use "a lack of guidance" to explain why someone is struggling or why something is not working as expected. For example, "The project failed due to "a lack of guidance" from the project manager."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "insufficient direction", "inadequate support", or "absence of mentorship". The best alternative depends on the specific context in which you are using the phrase. Refer to "insufficient direction" for more alternatives.

Is it better to say "lack of guidance" or "a lack of guidance"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a lack of guidance" is generally preferred when you want to emphasize the absence of a sufficient amount of guidance. "Lack of guidance" is a more general statement about the absence of guidance overall.