by lack of

USAGE SUMMARY

"by lack of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the absence of something or a deficiency of something. For example, "The failure of the project was caused by lack of planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Followed closely by lack of ambition.

Independent

But by lack of attention".

The Guardian - Opinion

Prospects are limited by lack of experience.

The New York Times

She's stifled by lack of resources, options.

The New Yorker

Live by isolation, die by lack of imagination.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm glad I was limited by lack of money.

The Guardian - Arts

Relief efforts have been hampered by lack of passable roadways.

The Washington Post

These qualities may also be exacerbated by lack of sleep.

The New York Times

Attempts at compliance, however, are hampered by lack of guidelines.

Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

Microbial hydrogen production is currently hampered by lack of efficiency.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

He was miffed, too, by lack of consultation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by lack of", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is lacking and what the consequence is. For example, instead of saying "The project failed by lack of," specify "The project failed by lack of adequate funding."

Common error

Avoid using "by lack of" as a vague explanation. Instead of saying "The problem was by lack of something", identify the specific deficiency. Being specific enhances clarity and provides actionable insights.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by lack of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun. It indicates the means or cause related to the absence or deficiency of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by lack of" is a versatile and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate causation stemming from the absence or deficiency of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted and utilized across numerous contexts, ranging from news articles to scientific publications. Its communicative purpose is to explain outcomes by attributing them to a specific deficiency. While generally considered neutral to formal in register, it is most frequently found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia". For more formal alternatives, consider using phrases like "due to the absence of" or "owing to a deficiency in". Always ensure clarity and specificity when using "by lack of" to avoid vagueness and enhance the effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to the absence of

Replaces "lack" with "absence", emphasizing a complete non-existence.

owing to a deficiency in

Substitutes "lack" with "deficiency", highlighting an inadequacy or shortage.

attributable to the scarcity of

Uses "scarcity" instead of "lack", stressing the limited availability of something.

as a consequence of the inadequacy of

Replaces "lack" with "inadequacy", focusing on the insufficient amount or quality.

resulting from the unavailability of

Emphasizes that something is not available, leading to a particular outcome.

because of the shortage of

Uses "shortage" to indicate an insufficient supply of something.

stemming from a dearth of

Replaces "lack" with "dearth", suggesting a severe scarcity or lack.

arising from the want of

Uses "want" in its archaic sense of lacking something, adding a formal tone.

occasioned by the deficit of

Replaces "lack" with "deficit", highlighting a deficiency or shortfall.

growing out of the insufficiency of

Emphasizes that something is not sufficient or enough, leading to certain result.

FAQs

How can I use "by lack of" in a sentence?

Use "by lack of" to indicate that something is caused or influenced by the absence of something else. For example, "The experiment's results were skewed by lack of a control group."

What phrases can I use instead of "by lack of"?

You can use alternatives like "due to the absence of", "owing to a deficiency in", or "attributable to the scarcity of" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "due to a lack of" instead of "by lack of"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "due to a lack of" tends to be slightly more formal and is often preferred in academic or professional writing.

Which is correct, "by lack of evidence" or "for lack of evidence"?

Both phrases are commonly used, but "for lack of evidence" is often used when stating a reason, while "by lack of evidence" emphasizes the process that determined that something is absent or missing.