but lacking that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but lacking that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the absence of something that was previously mentioned or implied. Example: "I would love to join you for dinner, but lacking that, I hope you have a great time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But lacking that, he added, "the state should not be involved".

The New York Times

He compared Lin to a stretched-out rubber band — flexible, but lacking that snap-back quality.

The New York Times - Sports

But, lacking that personal account, it is reasonable to speculate that he wanted to blood them.

The Economist

But, lacking that, they can do two things: Create an environment that encourages feedback of all types, and get videotaped.

Harvard Business Review

The scenes on Monday were like a latter-day Currier & Ives print, but lacking that midwinter cheer.

The New York Times

On Gum Alert, a blog that reviews gum on a scale of one gumball ("Foul. Repugnant. Gross") to five (A Delight!), Stride Spark Kinetic Mint earned three ("Pleasant but lacking that special something").

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

(Soccer has global popularity, but lacks that every-single-day presence here).

The New York Times

"There was plenty of effort in the first half, but lacked that bit of quality.

BBC

Racing games often sound like the real deal, but lack that extra punch.

TechCrunch

Scotland is more than a region, but lacks that focus of activity.

BBC

Chelmsford has had all the attributes of a city for decades but lacked that official status until Wednesday when the honour was announced.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but lacking that", ensure the preceding clause clearly implies the condition or element that is now absent for clear comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "but lacking that" when the absence isn't directly related to the previous statement; ensure it logically connects to the missing element. Clarify the specific element lacking to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but lacking that" functions as a conjunctional phrase, connecting two contrasting ideas where the second clause indicates the absence of something implied in the first. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a valid and usable construction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but lacking that" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase employed to introduce a contrasting scenario where something previously mentioned is absent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While considered neutral in tone, its frequency of use is uncommon, predominantly appearing in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific writing. Alternatives like "however, without that" or "yet, absent that" can be employed for variation or heightened formality. Remember to ensure the absence is clearly linked to the preceding context for maximum clarity. This contributes to more effective and precise writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but in its absence

Replaces "lacking that" with a prepositional phrase indicating the absence of something.

however, without that

Replaces "but lacking that" with a more straightforward conjunction and prepositional phrase.

yet, absent that

Substitutes "but" with "yet" and "lacking that" with the single word "absent", creating a more concise expression.

though that is missing

Uses "though" instead of "but" and rephrases "lacking that" to explicitly state something is missing.

while that is not present

Expresses the absence of something using "while" to introduce a contrasting element.

although that is not available

Offers a more formal and explicit way of expressing the absence of something.

however, disregarding that

Replaces "but" with "however" and uses "disregarding that" to convey the absence or irrelevance of something.

conversely, minus that

Uses "conversely" to introduce a contrasting point, indicating something is not present.

on the other hand, excluding that

Employs "on the other hand" to present a contrasting viewpoint, specifying an exclusion.

but that is not the case

Shifts the focus to stating that a previous condition or assumption is not true.

FAQs

What does "but lacking that" mean?

The phrase "but lacking that" means that something that was previously mentioned or implied is not present or available. It introduces a contrasting situation where this element is missing.

What are some alternatives to "but lacking that"?

You can use alternatives like "however, without that", "yet, absent that", or "but in its absence" depending on the context.

How can I use "but lacking that" in a sentence?

You can use "but lacking that" to introduce a contrasting clause indicating the absence of a condition or element: "I wanted to go to the party, but lacking that, I'll stay home".

Is "but lacking that" formal or informal?

The phrase "but lacking that" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly formal writing.