be deficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be deficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of something or an insufficiency in a particular context, such as skills, resources, or qualities. Example: "The report indicates that the current budget may be deficient in covering all necessary expenses for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We're not allowed to be deficient".

The New York Times

The results indicate that the provisions could be deficient.

Computational Fluid and Solid Mechanics 2003 Proceedings Second MIT Conference on Compurational Fluid and Solid Mechanics June 17–20, 2003

Dried fruit and nuts Nuts will provide protein which can be deficient in the vegan diet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"If the election goes ahead as planned, it will be deficient.

The New Yorker

How can a student be deficient and still pass?

The New York Times

Schizophrenic patients, Yoon said, are known to be deficient in an enzyme essential to GABA production.

Stanford University

The 10-parts-per-billion federal standard itself could be deficient.

Columbia University

As Mr. McCain would lack this, he would also be deficient in this broader appreciation for how technology affects lives.

The New York Times

Froude number only based correlations are shown to be deficient for under-expanded jet fires.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

However, anecdotal evidence suggests that long-term retention of anatomy knowledge may be deficient.

Radiography

However, organisations are not always well prepared and response strategies can be deficient.

Tourism Management Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be deficient", clearly specify what is lacking or inadequate. For example, instead of saying "The diet is deficient", specify "The diet is deficient in Vitamin D".

Common error

Avoid using "be deficient" without providing context. Saying something "is deficient" without explaining what it lacks can lead to confusion or misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be deficient" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a state of lacking or inadequacy. Ludwig examples show it used to modify nouns, indicating a shortage or imperfection, such as being deficient in nutrients or skills. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

31%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be deficient" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate a lack or inadequacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its neutral register allows for use across various contexts, from news and media to academic and scientific writing. To ensure clarity, specify what is lacking when using the phrase, such as "deficient in Vitamin D". Alternatives include "be lacking" or "be inadequate", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid overgeneralization by always providing sufficient context about the deficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be lacking

Focuses on the absence of something necessary or desired.

be inadequate

Emphasizes that something is not good enough or sufficient for a particular purpose.

be insufficient

Highlights that there is not enough of something.

fall short

Indicates a failure to reach a required standard or expectation.

be wanting

Suggests a deficiency or lack, often in a moral or personal quality.

be underdeveloped

Implies a lack of complete or proper development.

be impaired

Indicates a reduced ability or effectiveness.

be compromised

Suggests that something has been weakened or damaged.

be flawed

Highlights the presence of imperfections or defects.

be substandard

Emphasizes that something is below an acceptable level of quality.

FAQs

How can I use "be deficient" in a sentence?

You can use "be deficient" to describe something lacking an essential quality or element, such as "The soil "is deficient" in nutrients" or "The study "is deficient" in empirical evidence".

What are some alternatives to "be deficient"?

Alternatives include "be lacking", "be inadequate", "be insufficient", or "fall short", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "be deficient in" or "lack"?

"Be deficient in" emphasizes a specific shortage, while "lack" simply indicates absence. For instance, "The report "is deficient in" details" highlights a shortage of detail, whereas "The report "lacks" detail" simply notes its absence.

Which is correct: "deficient with" or "deficient in"?

The correct preposition to use with "deficient" is "in". Therefore, use "deficient in" rather than "deficient with". For example, "The system "is deficient in" security protocols" is correct.