found wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found wanting" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something or someone has been judged or evaluated and has been found to be lacking in some way. For example: 1. The restaurant was found wanting in terms of cleanliness, with many customers complaining about the dirty tables and floors. 2. Despite his qualifications, he was found wanting in the interview, as he struggled to provide clear answers to the questions. 3. The government's policies were found wanting, as they failed to address the pressing issues of the citizens. 4. The product was found wanting by consumers, who were disappointed with its poor quality and high price. 5. The hotel's services were found wanting, with guests complaining about the slow room service and unhelpful staff.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This approach is found wanting.

Energy Procedia

None were found wanting.

The New York Times

All three have been found wanting.

The New York Times

Today's rules have been found wanting.

The Economist

Yet it has been found wanting.

The Economist

Its bureaucrats have been found wanting.

The Economist

We must not be found wanting.

The Guardian

Either way, he has been found wanting.

The Guardian

Homo sapiens, of course, is found wanting.

The Guardian - Film

Are any of us found wanting?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

All other perspectives are simply found wanting.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "found wanting" to express a critical evaluation, often implying a formal assessment or judgment. For instance, "The proposal was found wanting in its financial projections" implies a thorough review revealed deficiencies in the financial planning.

Common error

Avoid using "found wanting" in overly casual or informal settings. This phrase carries a tone of formal judgment and may sound stilted or pretentious if used in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "lacking" or "deficient" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found wanting" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a noun after being evaluated. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct. It suggests a formal assessment where expectations were not met, as seen in examples like, 'The proposal was found wanting in its financial projections.'

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "found wanting" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote that something or someone has been evaluated and deemed inadequate or deficient. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Primarily appearing in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, the phrase serves to communicate a negative assessment with a tone that is considered neutral to formal. When using the phrase, it's best to reserve it for contexts that warrant a critical evaluation, avoiding overuse in casual conversation. While there are numerous alternatives such as "deemed inadequate" or "judged insufficient", "found wanting" maintains a distinct air of formal judgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deemed inadequate

Focuses on a formal judgment of insufficiency, emphasizing a lack of required qualities.

considered deficient

Highlights a specific shortcoming or flaw that makes something or someone less than satisfactory.

judged insufficient

Stresses the outcome of an evaluation, indicating that requirements or standards were not met.

proven to be lacking

Emphasizes the demonstration or evidence of a deficiency, showing that something falls short in practice.

shown to be inadequate

Similar to 'proven to be lacking', but focuses on the visual demonstration of inadequacy.

failed to measure up

An idiomatic expression indicating that something did not meet the expected standard or level of performance.

did not pass muster

Another idiomatic expression suggesting that something did not meet the required level of scrutiny or approval.

fell short of expectations

Emphasizes the failure to meet anticipated outcomes or standards, highlighting disappointment.

left something to be desired

Suggests that while not entirely unacceptable, there were noticeable deficiencies or areas for improvement.

did not come up to scratch

An idiomatic expression indicating that something did not meet a basic or acceptable standard.

FAQs

How do you use "found wanting" in a sentence?

The phrase "found wanting" is used to express that something or someone has been judged and did not meet the required standards or expectations. For instance, "The applicant was "found wanting" during the interview" or "The project proposal was "found wanting" in its attention to detail".

What does it mean when something is "found wanting"?

When something is "found wanting", it means that after evaluation, it has been determined to be deficient, inadequate, or lacking in some essential quality or aspect. It suggests a formal assessment where expectations were not met.

What are some alternatives to "found wanting"?

Alternatives to "found wanting" include phrases like "deemed inadequate", "considered deficient", "judged insufficient", or simply "lacking", depending on the context and level of formality required.

Is it appropriate to use "found wanting" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "found wanting" is more suited to formal or professional contexts. In casual conversation, it may sound overly formal or stiff. Simpler alternatives like "not good enough" or "didn't measure up" might be more appropriate.