as lacking as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as lacking as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the degree of lack or deficiency of one thing to another. Example: "His explanation was as lacking as her understanding of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But as lacking as transgender women's rights have been in recent years, they may be the only glimmer of hope for the rest of the spectrum.

Vice

But, my enthusiasm died out quickly once I was able to try it, found it as lacking as my daughter found it boring, and discovered from other parents that once purchased the toy tended to collect dust at the bottom of the toy bin.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Downtown Stone Harbor is lacking as far as night life is concerned, she noted dryly.

The New York Times - Travel

Community representation was lacking as well as representation from other relevant sectors (e.g., education).

Health Research Policy and Systems

There are those who see his films as pretentious, as lacking in substance, as self-indulgent.

The Guardian - Film

Not many of them as frowned upon as lacking kudos.

Independent

But Mr. Gillies, who cites Wes Anderson and Tim Burton as influences, is as lacking in ideas as in technique.

The New York Times

Few maestros can be as relaxed, as sociable and as lacking in airs.

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Sisulu emerged from prison as lacking in vengefulness as Mr. Mandela, and filled with optimism.

The New York Times

It certainly isn't as dreary as "Back Home", as lacking in enthusiasm as "This Time" or as mind-numbing as "On the Ball".

Independent

There was no further stage, the work was as whole or as lacking in wholeness as it was ever likely to be.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as lacking as", ensure that the comparison is clear and that both elements being compared are explicitly stated. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "as lacking as" can sound overly formal or stiff in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "not as good as" or "worse than" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as lacking as" functions as a comparative, specifically to draw a parallel between the extent of deficiency in two or more entities. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as lacking as" is a grammatically correct comparative phrase used to emphasize a shared deficiency between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for written English. While versatile, it is more common in neutral contexts like news and media than in casual conversation, where simpler alternatives may be preferable. The phrase functions to draw parallels between inadequacies, making it a useful tool for critical assessment and comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as deficient as

Replaces "lacking" with a synonym emphasizing a shortfall or imperfection.

as insufficient as

Focuses on the inadequacy or incompleteness of something.

as inadequate as

Similar to "insufficient" but can also imply unsuitability.

as wanting as

A more formal or literary alternative to "lacking".

as devoid of as

Emphasizes a complete absence of something.

as short on as

Highlights a shortage or scarcity.

as scarce as

Indicates rarity or limited availability.

as impoverished as

Suggests a severe deficiency or lack of resources.

as bereft of as

Emphasizes a loss or deprivation.

as wanting in as

Similar to "as wanting as", but the structure highlights where the deficiency is observed.

FAQs

How can I use "as lacking as" in a sentence?

You can use "as lacking as" to compare the degree to which two things are deficient. For example, "His explanation was "as lacking as" her understanding of the topic".

What are some alternatives to "as lacking as"?

Some alternatives include "as deficient as", "as insufficient as", or "as inadequate as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "as lacking as" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "as lacking as" may sometimes sound a bit stiff. Consider whether a more direct comparison, such as "less effective than" or "inferior to", might be clearer and more impactful.

What's the difference between "as lacking as" and "deficient"?

"As lacking as" is a comparative phrase, while "deficient" is a simple adjective. You'd use "as lacking as" to compare two things, whereas you'd use "deficient" to describe a single thing that is inadequate.