deficient for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deficient for" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means lacking or not sufficient for a particular purpose or need. Example: The company's budget is deficient for hiring new employees.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Read Vegetarian — B-12 deficient for more information on vegetarians and B-12 deficiencies.

Columbia University

These protections are deficient for H-1B workers.

The New York Times

Xu, J. et al. Mice deficient for the CD40 ligand.

Nature

Donehower, L.A. et al. Mice deficient for p53 are developmentally normal but susceptible to spontaneous tumors.

Nature

Mice deficient for Atg5 specifically in neural cells have also been developed and analysed.

Nature

Donehower, L.A. et al. Mice deficient for p53 are developmentally normal but susceptible to spontaneous tumours.

Nature

Reduced adiposity and high-fat diet-induced adipose inflammation in mice deficient for phosphodiesterase 4B.

Harvard University

Each protein's dispensability was estimated by the growth rate of mutants deficient for the protein.

Stanford University

We studied the kinetics of γ-H2AX chromatin foci removal after irradiation of mice deficient for HR and mice deficient for NHEJ.

Mutation Research-Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis

Accordingly, significant resistance has been described for animals deficient for TNF-α or TNFR1 when infected by MHV332,33.

Nature

Buckley, N.E. et al. Immunomodulation by cannabinoids is absent in mice deficient for the cannabinoid CB2 receptor.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deficient for", ensure the context clearly defines what the subject is lacking and what it is insufficient for. For instance, "The soil is deficient for growing tomatoes" clarifies both the deficiency and its consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "deficient for" without specifying what the deficiency impacts. Saying "The system is deficient" is vague; specify "The system is deficient for handling peak traffic."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deficient for" functions as a predicate adjective modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of lacking necessary qualities or quantities in relation to a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

Academia

21%

News & Media

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deficient for" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to express that something lacks the necessary qualities or quantities to meet a particular purpose. Ludwig AI identifies its frequent use across scientific, academic, and news contexts, making it a reliable choice for formal communication. When using the phrase, ensure you clearly specify the deficiency and its impact to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "lacking in" or "insufficient for" exist, "deficient for" provides a precise and professional way to convey inadequacy in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not enough for

Directly states that something is not sufficient.

lacking in

Implies a simple absence or shortage of something.

insufficient for

Highlights that something is not enough to meet a specific requirement.

inadequate for

Suggests something is not of sufficient quality or quantity for a purpose.

short on

Indicates a deficit or scarcity, often in a more informal context.

falling short in

Indicates a failure to reach a required standard or level.

wanting in

A more formal and less common way to express a lack of something.

poor in

Describes a low level or amount of a particular quality or substance.

limited in

Highlights restrictions or constraints regarding a specific aspect.

scarce in

Emphasizes the limited availability of something.

FAQs

How do I use "deficient for" in a sentence?

Use "deficient for" to indicate that something lacks the necessary qualities or quantities to fulfill a specific purpose. For example, "The budget is "deficient for" the proposed project."

What are some alternatives to "deficient for"?

You can use alternatives like "lacking in", "insufficient for", or "inadequate for" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "deficient in" and "deficient for"?

"Deficient in" generally describes a lack of a specific element or quality, while "deficient for" indicates a lack that hinders a particular purpose or function. For example, "The diet is deficient in vitamins" versus "The diet is "deficient for" maintaining good health."

When is it appropriate to use "deficient for" in formal writing?

"Deficient for" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to precisely convey that something is lacking what is needed for a specific purpose or application, often in scientific or technical contexts.