are lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

'are lacking' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation in which something is missing or absent. For example, "These days, we find that basic supplies like food and clean water are lacking in many parts of the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Easy answers are lacking.

The New York Times

You are lacking.

Independent

Hospital supplies are lacking.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now both arguably are lacking.

The Guardian

Most are lacking in charm".

The New Yorker

But easy solutions are lacking.

The Economist

Water and food are lacking.

The New York Times

They are lacking new technology.

The Guardian - Money

Narrative skills are lacking, though.

The New York Times

But such solutions are lacking.

The Guardian

'We are lacking in confidence.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are lacking", ensure that the subject is plural, as it corresponds to the plural verb "are". For example, "Essential resources are lacking in the region."

Common error

Avoid using "is lacking" when the subject is plural. "Is lacking" is only appropriate for singular subjects, whereas "are lacking" should be used for plural subjects. For example, it's wrong to say "The necessary skills is lacking".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are lacking" primarily functions as a predicate adjective describing a state of deficiency or absence. Ludwig examples show its widespread use in indicating what essential elements or qualities are missing from a given situation or subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are lacking" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express deficiency or absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic writing. While maintaining a neutral tone, it is crucial to ensure proper subject-verb agreement and to consider alternatives like "are deficient" or "are absent" to refine the intended nuance. By understanding its function and usage patterns, writers can effectively communicate a lack or need in a clear and professional manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are deficient

Replaces "lacking" with "deficient", emphasizing a shortfall or inadequacy.

are absent

Substitutes "lacking" with "absent", highlighting the non-existence or unavailability of something.

are missing

Uses "missing" instead of "lacking", suggesting that something is not present or has been lost.

are not available

Focuses on the unavailability of something, regardless of the reason.

are in short supply

Emphasizes the limited availability of something, rather than its complete absence.

are wanting

Employs "wanting", which is a more formal synonym for "lacking", suggesting a need or requirement that is not being met.

are conspicuous by their absence

Highlights the noticeable absence of something, often implying that its presence would be expected or beneficial.

are notable for their scarcity

Emphasizes the scarcity of something, making its limited availability a point of significance.

do not exist

Directly states that something does not exist, differing from "are lacking" which can imply a shortage rather than complete absence.

are thin on the ground

Indicates that something is scarce or rare, implying a low quantity rather than a complete absence.

FAQs

How do I use "are lacking" in a sentence?

Use "are lacking" to indicate that something is missing or deficient. For example, "The necessary resources are lacking for the project to succeed."

What can I say instead of "are lacking"?

You can use alternatives like "are deficient", "are absent", or "are missing" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is lacking" instead of "are lacking"?

The correctness depends on the subject. "Is lacking" is for singular subjects, while "are lacking" is for plural subjects. For example, "Support is lacking" (singular) vs. "Opportunities are lacking" (plural).

What's the difference between "are lacking" and "are in short supply"?

"Are lacking" generally means something is absent or deficient, while "are in short supply" indicates that something exists but is not available in sufficient quantities. The former implies a complete or near-complete absence, whereas the latter implies scarcity.