feels lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feels lacking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of deficiency or inadequacy regarding something, often in a subjective context. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, I must say it feels lacking in detail and clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The scene has an emotional charge that sometimes feels lacking in Sarah Brigham's staging.

The Guardian

What feels lacking, unfortunately, is the story itself, Mia's respite from her marital woes via an all-female summer in Bonden.

The New York Times - Books

An alternate version: "My life feels lacking because I am comparing it to others using a biased sliver of information, not because it is actually lacking".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And on that practice, this atheist felt lacking.

The New York Times

But others said that the show had not felt lacking without its celebrity star.

The Guardian

But surely it was also because the painter embodied precisely the artistic quality that Maugham felt lacking in himself.

The New Yorker

But when you return to their work together, their solo ventures can't help but feel lacking in something.

The Guardian - Music

Even then, though, the epic boss battles feel lacking, and you feel powerless and passive as you watch a team of weird creatures loafing around.

The Guardian - Tech

The whole process used to feel lacking.

Huffington Post

However, when compared to the likes of William Close, Edon's performance simply felt lacking.

Huffington Post

Like Hogan, Risley commented that the comedian cast of Bailey and Weir as well as Armstrong "felt lacking".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feels lacking", ensure that the subject experiencing the feeling is clearly defined. For example, specify who or what "feels lacking" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "feels lacking" is acceptable, it may sound too informal for academic or professional contexts. Consider using stronger, more precise alternatives like "is insufficient" or "appears inadequate" for a more authoritative tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feels lacking" functions as a verb phrase complement, where "feels" is a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "lacking". Ludwig AI examples show its usage in expressing a subjective assessment of deficiency. As Ludwig AI says it is usable in written English, but consider that more formal alternative may be available.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feels lacking" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey a subjective sense of deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While found in diverse sources, including News & Media, Science and Wiki, it's more frequent usage is in the News & Media category. More formal contexts might benefit from alternatives such as "seems insufficient" or "appears inadequate". When using "feels lacking", ensure clarity by specifying who or what is experiencing the feeling. It's important to remember that this phrase expresses a subjective evaluation, which may be less suitable for objective or highly formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems insufficient

Changes the verb from "feels" to "seems", focusing on the appearance of inadequacy rather than a subjective feeling.

appears inadequate

Uses "appears" to suggest the deficiency is evident, rather than personally felt.

is somewhat deficient

Replaces "lacking" with "deficient", adding a degree of formality with "somewhat".

strikes as incomplete

Shifts the focus to the impression of incompleteness rather than a pure lack.

registers as insufficient

Uses "registers" to imply a more formal or objective assessment of the lack.

comes across as wanting

Employs "comes across" to describe the impression given, highlighting a perceived need.

presents itself as inadequate

Focuses on the presentation or impression of inadequacy.

is perceived as deficient

Highlights the perception of deficiency, rather than a definitive statement.

gives the impression of inadequacy

More verbose way to say that something produces the effect of not being good enough.

seems to fall short

Indicates a failure to meet a certain standard or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "feels lacking" in a sentence?

You can use "feels lacking" to express a subjective sense of deficiency. For example: "The presentation "feels lacking" in concrete examples" or "His explanation "feels lacking" in sincerity".

What can I say instead of "feels lacking"?

You can use alternatives like "seems insufficient", "appears inadequate", or "is somewhat deficient" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "feels lacking" or "is lacking"?

"Feels lacking" implies a subjective assessment, while "is lacking" suggests a more objective judgment. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning. Consider: "The report "feels lacking" to the team" versus "The report "is lacking" in key data".

When is it appropriate to use "feels lacking" in writing?

Use "feels lacking" when you want to convey a personal sense of something being deficient or inadequate. It's suitable for expressing opinions or subjective assessments, but may not be ideal for formal, objective reports.