close to lack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to lack" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a situation where something is nearly absent or insufficient, but it lacks clarity. Example: "The resources available are close to lack, making it difficult to complete the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Close to lack of time, is the reason, maturity of the users.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Williams remained close to Lack over the years and credited the executive for his rise to the anchor chair.

Los Angeles Times

2. The group of female study participants with a diagnosis was located near "denial" as a reason for avoidance, although it was also close to "lack of trust in mental health professionals" and "impersonal treatment".

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

At the end of the season, too, the lower runs are beginning to close due to lack of snow.

Independent

Eventually the store does indeed close due to lack of business, plunging the Flanders into debt and misery.

Wikipedia

On Monday, the Northern Territory's Lifeline office was forced to close due to lack of government funding despite suicide rates in the Top End being the highest in the nation.

Vice

When robots are working in dynamic environments, close to humans lacking extensive knowledge of robotics, there is a strong need to simplify the user interaction and make the system execute as autonomously as possible, as long as it is feasible.

Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

As expected, the strain-specific gene pool is poorly characterized, close to 40% lacking a functional annotation.

BMC Genomics

The Harvard School of Mines closed due to lack of enrollment in 1874.

Harvard University

The World Famous, the pyrotechnic arts company, is closing due to lack of funds.

The Guardian

"Over 40% of Italy's archaeological sites are now closed due to lack of funds," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the questionable phrase "close to lack", opt for clearer alternatives like "nearly devoid of" or "almost without" to ensure your message is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "close to lack" in an attempt to sound sophisticated; it often leads to confusion. Simpler, more direct language enhances clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to lack" functions as an adverbial modifier attempting to describe the degree to which something is deficient or absent. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable, suggesting it deviates from standard English usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

33%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "close to lack" attempts to express proximity to a state of deficiency, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Ludwig AI flags it as questionable, suggesting it may confuse readers. Occurring rarely in both scientific and news contexts, clearer alternatives like "nearly devoid of" or "almost without" are recommended for more precise and effective communication. When writing, prioritize clarity and choose expressions that accurately convey your intended meaning without sacrificing grammatical integrity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bordering on absence

Emphasizes being near complete absence, suggesting a condition nearly devoid of something.

verging on nonexistent

Highlights approaching a state of nonexistence, indicating scarcity or near absence.

nearly devoid of

Indicates something is almost empty or without a particular quality or element.

almost without

Conveys a situation close to lacking something, suggesting a minimal presence.

scarcely any

Highlights the minimal amount of something, implying it's nearly insufficient.

approaching deficiency

Emphasizes progression towards a state of being deficient or inadequate.

on the brink of shortage

Indicates nearing a state of shortage, suggesting an impending lack of resources.

nearing depletion

Highlights progression towards complete usage or exhaustion, implying a coming lack.

tantamount to absence

Equates a situation to a state of absence, suggesting a similar effect or outcome.

akin to a dearth

Compares a situation to a scarcity, indicating a parallel lack of something.

FAQs

What does "close to lack" mean?

"Close to lack" isn't standard English. It seems to suggest something is nearly absent or insufficient. Consider using alternatives like "almost without" or "nearly devoid of" for clarity.

How can I rephrase "close to lack of trust"?

Instead of "close to lack of trust", you can use phrases like "almost without trust", "nearly devoid of trust", or "considerable mistrust" to convey a similar meaning with better clarity.

Is "close to lack" grammatically correct?

No, "close to lack" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use more precise and common phrases to avoid confusion. Ludwig AI marks it as an incorrect expression.

What are some alternatives to "due to lack of"?

Instead of "due to lack of", try using "because of the absence of", "owing to a shortage of", or "caused by a deficiency of" for greater clarity and grammatical correctness.