badly lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

"badly lacking" is a correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It means that something is severely deficient or insufficient. Example: The government's response to the crisis was badly lacking, causing widespread criticism and dissatisfaction among the public.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Contexts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It is badly lacking in water and good roads.

The New York Times

But responsibility involves accountability, which is something, in this case, that appears to be badly lacking.

The New Yorker

What is badly lacking are homes at the bottom of the market.

The Guardian

The restraint they've been urged to display themselves is badly lacking.

The Guardian - Business

There is only one woman in the 14-member ruling Communist politburo and overall equality is badly lacking.

The Guardian

"It's a quality that at the moment, people feel is badly lacking in the political process, which people increasingly see as the province of elites".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

In comparison to the regimes in those two countries, Myanmar's badly lacks legitimacy.

The Economist

Not all of these are present in all cases (most obviously, London badly lacks the second of these).

The Economist

Profits supply ex-servicemen and their families the quality schools and health care that most Pakistanis so badly lack.

The New York Times - Magazine

He'll have to draw on humor, on empathy, on audacity, on courage, in order to inspire the kind of confidence the country badly lacks and needs.

The New Yorker

Mr Blair's rare flashes of public temper reveal a man who burns with the passion that the agreeable Mr Hague badly lacks.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "badly lacking" when you want to emphasize a significant deficiency or absence of something, especially when the lack has negative consequences. For example, "The team was badly lacking in experience, leading to several critical errors."

Common error

While "badly lacking" is acceptable, it might sound less professional in certain formal contexts. Consider using synonyms like "severely deficient" or "critically lacking" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly lacking" functions as a descriptive phrase, specifically modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate a significant deficiency or insufficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "badly lacking" signifies a significant deficiency or absence, making it a valuable tool for expressing criticism or highlighting inadequacies. As Ludwig AI accurately points out, this is grammatically correct and frequently used in English writing. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, often describing something that is severely deficient. While the phrase is generally acceptable, synonyms like "sorely lacking" or "critically lacking" can provide a more formal tone in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sorely lacking

Emphasizes a feeling of disappointment or regret due to the deficiency.

critically lacking

Highlights the essential nature of what is missing, suggesting severe consequences.

severely deficient

Focuses on the inadequacy in terms of quantity or quality.

woefully inadequate

Suggests that the deficiency is extreme and pitiable.

seriously wanting

Emphasizes that something important is missing or insufficient.

desperately short

Highlights the urgent need for what is missing.

significantly absent

Focuses on the notable absence of something.

glaringly insufficient

Points out that the inadequacy is obvious and easily noticeable.

markedly deficient

Suggests that the deficiency is clearly noticeable or measurable.

plainly inadequate

Highlights that the inadequacy is obvious and clear.

FAQs

What does "badly lacking" mean?

The phrase "badly lacking" means severely deficient or insufficient. It indicates that something is greatly missed or needed.

How to use "badly lacking" in a sentence?

You can use "badly lacking" to describe a deficiency. For example: "The project was "badly lacking" in planning and resources."

What can I say instead of "badly lacking"?

You can use alternatives like "sorely lacking", "critically lacking", or "severely deficient" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "badly lack" instead of "badly lacking"?

While "badly lack" is grammatically possible, it's less common and can sound awkward. "Badly lacking" is generally the preferred and more natural-sounding phrase. Consider these alternatives to "badly lacking" instead.