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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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deficient in comprehension

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deficient in comprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that lacks understanding or clarity in a particular context. Example: "The student's essay was deficient in comprehension, making it difficult for the reader to grasp the main arguments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The non-BTL learners are most deficient in reading comprehension, the most important skill for future learning, unfortunately.

Formal & Business

Unicef

Researchers think this plays a key role in comprehension.

Slower in speech, slower in comprehension, slower in movement.

News & Media

The New York Times

Understanding them will give you a huge boost in comprehension.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Some minor wording changes were made to aid in comprehension.

This first round revealed no difficulties in comprehension or response.

RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent of patients demonstrated deficient comprehension (less than complete concordance) in at least 1 domain; 51% of patients, in 2 or more domains.

India is deficient in both.

News & Media

The New York Times

But it is deficient in two respects.

News & Media

The Guardian

Our city is deficient in charm.

News & Media

The New Yorker

More than 50percentt were deficient in reading and almost 75percentt were deficient in math.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing specific areas of deficiency, specify what the subject is deficient in, for example, "deficient in reading comprehension" rather than just "deficient in comprehension".

Common error

Avoid using "deficient in comprehension" as a blanket statement without specifying the context. General statements lack impact; instead, pinpoint the specific area where comprehension is lacking for clarity and precision.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

79%

Authority and reliability

4.4/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deficient in comprehension" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating a lack or inadequacy in the ability to understand something. Ludwig AI validates the grammatical correctness and usability of the expression.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deficient in comprehension" is a grammatically correct way to express a lack of understanding, typically used in neutral to formal contexts. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to specify the context of the deficiency for clarity. Alternatives such as "lacking in understanding" or "poor understanding" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to pinpoint a specific area where comprehension falls short, making it a useful tool in both descriptive and analytical writing.

More alternative expressions(6)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lacking in understanding

This alternative replaces "deficient" with "lacking" offering a more straightforward synonym. The phrase maintains the same grammatical structure and meaning.

Shows insufficient understanding

This replaces "deficient" with "insufficient", making it more formal and direct, while conveying the same meaning of lacking adequate understanding.

Poor understanding

This alternative simplifies the phrase by using a direct adjective to describe the quality of understanding. It is less formal than "deficient in comprehension".

Weak in comprehension

This option replaces "deficient" with "weak", implying a lesser degree of understanding rather than a complete absence. The grammatical structure remains similar.

Limited comprehension skills

This alternative focuses on skills, making it suitable when discussing someone's abilities, replacing the original phrase with focus on a skill instead of a deficiency.

Comprehension is inadequate

This phrase uses a different grammatical structure, emphasizing the inadequacy of comprehension rather than directly describing a person or thing as deficient.

Falls short in comprehension

This alternative employs the idiom "falls short" to indicate a failure to meet a certain standard of comprehension.

Has a poor grasp of

This alternative uses "grasp" which implies a mental holding or understanding. It shifts the focus slightly to the act of grasping or understanding.

Displays a lack of comprehension

This alternative emphasizes the observable lack of understanding, potentially suitable for formal evaluations or reports.

Demonstrates inadequate comprehension

This alternative highlights the act of demonstrating or showing a level of understanding that is not up to par.

FAQs

How can I use "deficient in comprehension" in a sentence?

You can use "deficient in comprehension" to describe someone or something lacking understanding in a specific area. For example, "The student's essay was deficient in comprehension, making it difficult to understand the main arguments."

What are some alternatives to "deficient in comprehension"?

Alternatives include "lacking in understanding", "poor understanding", or "insufficient understanding" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "lacking comprehension" or "deficient in comprehension"?

"Deficient in comprehension" and "lacking comprehension" are quite similar. "Lacking comprehension" may sound slightly more direct, while "deficient in comprehension" can add a touch of formality.

What does it mean to be "deficient in comprehension"?

To be "deficient in comprehension" means to lack an adequate ability to understand something. This could apply to reading, listening, or any situation requiring understanding of information.

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: