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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
are lacking that
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "are lacking that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; a more appropriate structure would be "are lacking" followed by a noun or noun phrase. Example: "The team are lacking the necessary resources to complete the project."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
19 human-written examples
In particular, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets are lacking that would allow more allies to be involved and make an impact.
News & Media
Data are lacking that would enable generalizability of the HK-DQI for non-White populations and those with limited literacy.
Thus far, studies are lacking that have followed colonization of healthy individuals over time with MRSA to evaluate the persistence of individual strains on a subject over time.
Single-cell analysis has revealed that transcription is dynamic and stochastic, but tools are lacking that can determine the mechanism operating at a single gene.
Science
While animal studies demonstrate improved tissue volumes after fat grafting enriched with ASCs [ 4, 5], definitive studies are lacking that show that graft supplementation with ASCs is superior to standard fat grafting in humans.
Science
"We are lacking that X-factor in front of goal.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
41 human-written examples
Something fundamental is lacking that could stall human space exploration for decades to come.
News & Media
If your mental image search is lacking, that's where more of those iPhone-like tables (there are seven total) could help.
News & Media
The Nets seem to be lacking that same aggression, if not the mission, that O'Neal carries with him in his huge frame.
News & Media
Wasps were lacking that little bit of zip but considering the list of absentees it was a powerful demonstration of the firepower at their disposal.
News & Media
I guess that's your call, but for me it was lacking that nice, solid feel.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Prefer simpler, more direct phrasing such as "are lacking" or "lack" followed by a noun phrase to improve clarity and grammatical correctness. For instance, instead of saying, "The study are lacking that key information," consider rewriting as "The study lacks key information."
Common error
Avoid adding unnecessary words such as "that" after "are lacking". This can create awkward and grammatically incorrect sentences. Opt for cleaner phrasing for better readability.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "are lacking that" typically functions as a verb phrase intended to express a deficiency or absence. However, based on Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect and can be improved by using simpler and more direct alternatives.
Frequent in
Science
40%
News & Media
40%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Wiki
6%
Encyclopedias
2%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "are lacking that" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. It is intended to communicate a deficiency, but simpler and more direct alternatives such as "lack" or "are missing" are recommended. This advice is consistent across news, science, and business contexts, emphasizing the need for grammatical precision. When constructing sentences, prioritize clarity and precision, and avoid adding unnecessary words like "that".
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
lack
A concise verb that directly expresses the absence of something.
are missing
A simpler and more grammatically sound way to express that something is absent.
are deficient in
Replaces "lacking that" with a more direct prepositional phrase indicating a shortage or absence.
are without
Similar to "are missing", but can emphasize the absence more strongly.
do not have
A basic way to express the absence of something, suitable for many contexts.
have a shortage of
Indicates a specific deficit in a particular area or resource.
are in short supply of
Highlights that something is not available in sufficient quantity.
are wanting in
Indicates that something is deficient or does not meet the required standard.
are bereft of
A more formal way of saying "are lacking", suggesting a significant absence.
are devoid of
Emphasizes a complete absence of something.
FAQs
What's a more grammatically correct way to say "are lacking that"?
You can use phrases like "lack", "are missing", or "are deficient in" depending on the context to avoid grammatical errors.
How can I use "lack" instead of "are lacking that"?
Instead of saying, "The data are lacking that specific detail," you can say, "The data lack specific details." This phrasing is more concise and grammatically correct.
Is "are lacking that" considered formal or informal English?
"Are lacking that" is generally considered incorrect in formal English. It's better to use more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "are missing" or simply "lack".
What's the difference between "are lacking" and "are lacking that"?
"Are lacking" is grammatically sound and means 'to be without'. Adding "that" after "are lacking" is typically incorrect. You can say "They "are lacking" resources", but "They are lacking that resources" is incorrect.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested