appalling lack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appalling lack" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a shocking or unacceptable deficiency in something. Example: "The report highlighted the appalling lack of resources available for mental health services in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That decision showed appalling lack of judgment.

The New Yorker

The absolutely appalling lack of principle showed by absolutely everybody.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Others point to the appalling lack of women in technology.

The Guardian - Opinion

The misery and appalling lack of care can never be overstated.

The Guardian

The real problem is an appalling lack of diversity at our top schools.

The New York Times

(An appalling lack of due process has characterized many of the proceedings in Czechoslovakia during the lustration period).

The New Yorker

Ohlin's language betrays an appalling lack of register — language that limps onto the page proudly indifferent to pitch or vigor.

The New York Times - Books

One area the television networks should address immediately is the appalling lack of poppies worn in repeated programmes.

Independent

What we do know about the regime at Deepcut was that it showed an appalling lack of duty of care.

The Guardian

Most are motivated by a romantic fervor that must make up for an appalling lack of military preparation.

The New York Times

However, there is an appalling lack of effort given to systematic attempts at building improvements into this age-old process.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appalling lack" to express strong disapproval or shock at a deficiency. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the negative consequences of the "lack".

Common error

While impactful, "appalling lack" can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Reserve it for situations where the deficiency is genuinely serious and warrants a strong expression of disapproval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appalling lack" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "appalling" modifies the noun "lack". As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe a situation where there is a significant and unacceptable deficiency in something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appalling lack" is a phrase used to express strong disapproval or shock regarding a significant deficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct and is very common in written English, particularly in news and media contexts. Its primary function is to criticize or highlight serious shortcomings. While effective, remember to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations where the deficiency genuinely warrants a strong expression. Alternatives such as "egregious deficiency" or "dire absence" may be considered to avoid overuse or in cases needing subtly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

egregious deficiency

Replaces "appalling" with "egregious", emphasizing the shocking nature of the deficiency.

terrible shortage

Substitutes "lack" with "shortage", focusing on the insufficiency of something.

dire absence

Replaces "appalling" with "dire", highlighting the severe consequences of the absence.

serious deficiency

Replaces "appalling" with "serious", reducing the emotional intensity but maintaining the gravity.

glaring inadequacy

Emphasizes the obvious and undeniable nature of the inadequacy.

acute scarcity

Focuses on the limited availability of something, particularly resources.

severe want

Highlights a critical need that is not being met.

critical deficit

Emphasizes that the "lack" is not just undesirable but that it causes real issues.

dreadful insufficiency

Increases the gravity of the insufficiency.

striking omission

Highlights that something important was left out.

FAQs

How can I use "appalling lack" in a sentence?

You can use "appalling lack" to describe a severe deficiency, like "The report highlighted the "appalling lack" of resources for mental health services".

What can I say instead of "appalling lack"?

Alternatives include "egregious deficiency", "terrible shortage", or "dire absence" depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

Is "appalling lack" formal or informal?

"Appalling lack" is suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, and professional communications. It might be too strong for very informal settings.

What is the difference between "appalling lack" and "serious deficiency"?

"Appalling lack" conveys a stronger sense of shock and disapproval than "serious deficiency". The former suggests a more egregious and unacceptable situation.