but lacks both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but lacks both" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is missing two specific qualities or elements that were previously mentioned. Example: "The proposal is innovative but lacks both clarity and feasibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It sticks to the now familiar action-platforming experience of the previous games, but lacks both the split-screen and online play offered by Disney Infinity.

The Guardian - Tech

The book is fun but lacks both the cohesion and rigor of history or social science, and the depth and insight of true portraiture.

The New Yorker

The first is a romantic ghost story dripping with what Universal Studios is no doubt pleased to call "prestige", meaning a sort of gauzy, vacant, middlebrow classiness; the second wants to be some hell-spawned blood feast of a vampire movie but lacks both the blood and, frankly, the bite to pull it off.

The Guardian - Film

The ATCC17978 strain also carries pga, csu and ompA genes, but lacks both BLP1 and BAP1.

BMC Genomics

The colonic epithelium has similar organisation but lacks both villi and Paneth cells.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology

DAR4145 contains capsid type 5, but lacks both the serine-like protease operon spl and lukD/E.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Monkfish fillets, for instance, are carved into round medallions, as if masquerading as scallops, but lack both savor and succulence.

The New Yorker

Gringo-style enchiladas de mole ($13) were pleasant but lacked both the spicy bite and intense dark chocolate taste of the real thing.

The New York Times

But lacking both poetry and patriotism, Mr. Cashman says, the State Department of Transportation objected, directing his attention to a state code prohibiting sight-line violations.

The New York Times

As such it has the feel of a light-as-air feuilleton, building up a great deal of velocity but lacking both direction and some cause, some problem, some conflict beyond the foibles of its transient cast of characters.

The New York Times - Books

To test this hypothesis, a sense-stranded oligonucleotide was designed with the same sequence as the RCO, but lacking both a 5'-phosphate and 3'-biotin 3'-biotinmer"; Table S3; Figure 3A, bottom).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but lacks both", ensure that the two elements being negated are clearly defined and relevant to the context. This construction is effective for concise expression of deficiencies.

Common error

Avoid using "but lacks both" in excessively long or complex sentences where the connection between the subject and the lacking elements becomes unclear. Simplify the sentence or use separate clauses for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but lacks both" functions as a conjunction introducing a contrast. It connects a previous statement with a subsequent statement that negates the presence of two specific qualities or attributes in the subject being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but lacks both" is a grammatically correct and common conjunction phrase used to express the absence of two specific attributes. Ludwig AI verifies its correctness. It is frequently found in scientific and news media contexts, serving to highlight deficiencies or shortcomings in a concise manner. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in specifying the missing elements. Alternatives like "but it doesn't have either" or "both are absent" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but it doesn't have either

Rephrases the lack using "doesn't have" for a slightly more informal tone.

but it is deficient in both

Uses "deficient in" to convey a more formal and critical tone.

but it does not possess either

Employs "does not possess" for a more emphatic and formal expression of absence.

but it is without both

Uses "without" for a simpler, more direct way to state the absence.

but both are absent

Changes the structure to emphasize the absence of both elements.

but it fails to offer both

Focuses on the failure to provide the two elements.

but it is wanting in both

Uses "wanting in" to indicate a deficiency or lack.

but it comes up short on both

Expresses the lack using an idiomatic expression, "comes up short".

however, neither are present

Replaces "but" with "however" and restructures the sentence to emphasize the absence.

yet, it lacks each

Uses "yet" instead of "but" and "each" instead of "both" to convey a slightly different nuance.

FAQs

How can I use "but lacks both" in a sentence?

Use "but lacks both" to indicate that something is deficient in two specific qualities. For example: "The design is modern but lacks both functionality and aesthetic appeal."

What are some alternatives to "but lacks both"?

You can use alternatives like "but it doesn't have either", "but it does not possess either", or "both are absent" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "but lacks both"?

Yes, "but lacks both" is grammatically correct. It is a common construction used to express a dual deficiency or absence.

What is the difference between "but lacks both" and "but lacks either"?

"But lacks both" indicates that two specific items are missing. "But lacks either" is less common and implies a choice between two options, where neither is present. "But lacks both" is more direct when referring to two explicit deficiencies.