a lack of strength

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lack of strength" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deficiency or absence of physical or metaphorical strength in various contexts. Example: "The athlete's performance was hindered by a lack of strength in his legs, preventing him from completing the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

As this Six Nations has proved, a lack of strength in depth continues to undermine Wales.

The Guardian - Sport

Her first test said her body was 46 and that her chief problem was a lack of strength.

The New York Times

It was, Byford reflected, down to a lack of strength in the band's management compared with the other two.

The Guardian - Music

In the first act they were woefully out of sync; whether a matter of bad timing or a lack of strength, their ragged dancing was palpable.

The New York Times - Arts

But Arsenal's problem is always injuries and a lack of strength in depth, and they still don't match Manchester City or Chelsea for that.

Independent

The Spanish Repsol Honda rider finished third in the 20 March season-opener in Qatar after suffering numbness and a lack of strength in his left arm.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

At a campaign stop on Saturday, Mr. Weiner said his petition numbers did not necessarily reflect a lack of ground strength.

The New York Times

He played third for eight innings in a minor league game Thursday but took himself out because he was frustrated by a lack of arm strength when throwing to first base.

The New York Times - Sports

There, it was a lack of physical strength rather than any ambition to play one-day cricket that pushed the cocky youngster towards unorthodoxy in his strokes, though hurling grips informed his style too.

The Guardian - Sport

Because of Hughes's history with gaining velocity over the course of April, the Yankees thought the discrepancy was related to a lack of arm strength, not flawed mechanics or an injury.

The New York Times

Dr Sigrun Rossmanith detailed her theories in a new book entitled 'Are Women Better Murderers?' where she claims women rarely attack strangers, are usually first-time offenders and compensate for a lack of physical strength by being more inventive.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts, use "a lack of strength" to highlight a deficiency in resilience, determination, or influence.

Common error

Avoid using "a lack of strength" when simpler terms like "weakness" or "feebleness" suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lack of strength" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a deficiency or absence of force, power, or vigor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lack of strength" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that describes a deficiency or absence of force, power, or vigor. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts. It is most frequently found in news, science, and formal business settings, with a neutral register suitable for a wide audience. When using this phrase, consider simpler alternatives like "weakness" or "feebleness" in casual contexts. The key takeaway is that while correct, clarity and conciseness should guide its application to avoid unnecessary verbosity. The examples that Ludwig provided help to understand the contexts in which "a lack of strength" is commonly used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a weakness

Uses a more concise term, "weakness", to convey the same general meaning of lacking strength.

a deficiency of power

Replaces "strength" with "power", focusing on the ability to exert influence or control.

an absence of force

Substitutes "strength" with "force", emphasizing the physical energy or impact that is missing.

a shortage of vigor

Replaces "strength" with "vigor", highlighting a lack of vitality or energy.

frailty

Emphasizes physical weakness and delicacy.

feebleness

Emphasizes a state of being weak and frail.

fragility

Focuses on the quality of being easily broken or damaged, implying a lack of resilience.

impotence

Highlights a lack of ability to take effective action.

vulnerability

Highlights susceptibility to harm or attack, implying a lack of defensive strength.

inadequacy

Suggests a deficiency in meeting the requirements or demands of a situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a lack of strength" to describe physical weakness (e.g., "The patient experienced a lack of strength in their legs") or to describe a deficiency in something abstract (e.g., "The company's failure was due to a lack of strength in its marketing strategy").

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "weakness", "deficiency of power", or "absence of force".

Is it better to say "lack of strength" or "absence of strength"?

"Lack of strength" and "absence of strength" are largely interchangeable. "Lack of strength" is slightly more common, but both are grammatically correct and understandable. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Can "a lack of strength" refer to mental or emotional states?

Yes, "a lack of strength" can be used metaphorically to describe a deficiency in mental or emotional fortitude. For example, one might say "a lack of emotional strength" to describe someone who is easily overwhelmed by stress.