feeling of lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeling of lacking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sense of deficiency or absence of something in one's life or experience. Example: "She often experiences a feeling of lacking when she compares herself to her more successful peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In a study by Kerr et al. [30] elite gymnasts have expressed the feeling of "lacking control, not only over the ultimate outcome of their performances, but also many other aspects of their careers".

Plosone

Seven respondents expressed the problems of overcrowding with an emotional feeling of lacking freedom.

Conflict and Health

Among the other psychosocial variables only a few contributed to the prediction and included some variables that were assessed in early adolescence, namely, low scores on the internalizing dimension which is just the correlate of the externalizing problems, heightened self-awareness, and a feeling of lacking possibilities to participate at school.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Victims often report a feeling of perpetual defilement, an inability to feel clean, an overwhelming sense of vulnerability, and a paralyzing feeling of lack of control over their lives.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The feeling of lack of presence, lack of physicality, the feeling that the world is disappearing into images and stories and his description of what he experienced on the island [Utoya].

The Guardian - Books

Before this, there was a feeling of lack of trust between Yahoo and Microsoft.

Forbes

This all-encompassing feeling of lack of control is why, when chronically underpaid service professionals like teachers or transport workers strike, there is an equally out-of-control discussion around the societal and economic value of these professionals.

TechCrunch

In Macedonia, there is a strong rural abandonment, a continuous decrease of the rural population (with a rural population growth rate of −2.2% during the 2005 2010 period, cf. FAOSTAT 2012), and a strong decline in the rural way of life, with a feeling of lack of respect for rural people and livestock breeders.

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

There is nothing I can buy that will make me impervious to the feeling of lack.

Vice

Be Ok With What You Have: Unhappiness stems from a feeling of lack.

Huffington Post

But we can achieve this greatness without the need for pain when we proactively awaken our feeling of lack to inspire creativity.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "feeling of lacking", ensure that the context clearly identifies what is being lacked. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling of lacking" without specifying what is missing. For example, instead of saying "She had a feeling of lacking", specify "She had a feeling of lacking control over her life".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling of lacking" functions as a noun phrase that describes a subjective experience of deficiency or absence. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is typically followed by a noun or noun phrase specifying what is being lacked.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeling of lacking" describes a subjective experience of deficiency or absence. While grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, as Ludwig AI confirms, it's crucial to specify what is being lacked to avoid ambiguity. The phrase appears in scientific articles, news reports, and encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral register. Alternatives like "sense of deficiency" or "feeling of inadequacy" can offer a more formal or specific nuance. While not highly frequent, understanding its proper use and context is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of deficiency

This alternative uses 'deficiency' to emphasize the absence of something essential, focusing on the inadequacy.

feeling of inadequacy

This focuses on the internal experience of not being good enough or sufficient.

sense of absence

Highlights the feeling that something is missing, emphasizing the void left behind.

feeling of deprivation

This suggests a more severe lack, implying that something important has been taken away or is being withheld.

sense of incompleteness

This refers to the feeling that something is unfinished or not whole.

feeling of being without

This alternative highlights the absence of something specific, emphasizing the state of not possessing it.

experience of wanting

Focuses on the desire for something that is not currently possessed.

feeling of need

This highlights the sense of requiring something essential or important.

sense of emptiness

Focuses on a void or hollowness within oneself.

feeling of privation

This alternative is a more formal way of expressing a state of lacking essential resources or comforts.

FAQs

How can I use "feeling of lacking" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling of lacking" to describe a sense of deficiency or absence. For example: "The athlete expressed a "feeling of lacking" control over the competition's outcome."

What's a more formal way to say "feeling of lacking"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "sense of deficiency" or "perception of inadequacy". These alternatives convey a similar meaning with greater formality.

What emotions are similar to a "feeling of lacking"?

Emotions similar to a "feeling of lacking" include feelings of inadequacy, deprivation, incompleteness, and emptiness. Each highlights a different nuance of absence or deficiency.

Is it better to say "feeling of lack" or "feeling of lacking"?

Both "feeling of lack" and "feeling of lacking" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Feeling of lack" emphasizes the state of absence ("feeling of lack"), while "feeling of lacking" emphasizes the process or experience of missing something. The best choice depends on the specific context.