grave lack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave lack" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious or significant deficiency in something. Example: "The report highlighted a grave lack of resources for the project, which could jeopardize its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

There was also a grave lack of understanding and cooperation at crucial moments (as with Burgoyne and Howe in 1777).

Encyclopedia Britannica

José Natividad González Parás, governor of Nuevo León, bemoans a "grave lack of attention on the part of the American authorities, who have been occupied elsewhere".

The Economist

Favored themselves embottled in grave lack, ocean debris, and loss buttons, where Mother made a father who made feathers from fattened oil and string pieces for two.

The New Yorker

I played basketball, compensating with quickness for a grave lack of height, and after a close and raucous game one Saturday night a teacher came through the departing crowd, stopped me on my way to the locker room, and said his name was Mr. Haviland, and that he was the coach of Deerfield lacrosse.

The New Yorker

In Iraq the situation has badly deteriorated; there is a grave lack of security.

Huffington Post

As a global health researcher, I think this reveals a grave lack of understanding of the nuances and complexity of this national security issue.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Over the last 10 years natural resource devolution became buried in the grave of lack of transparency, democracy and accountability.

Human Ecology

She is being cremated, cooked like the brown shit inside my pipe, but in her absence, my grandmother will create a grave, one lacking a body, and one I'll never visit.

Vice

Hopeless or grave reality situations, lack of talent or ability (usually regarded as 'inhibition'), lack of an adequate philosophy of life, and almost any chronic physical illness may be brought to psychoanalysis for cure".

The New Yorker

For what it's worth, the "reform" of applying the logic of capitalism to college sports, and paying players on the basis of their economic value, would deepen the incentive to cast aside players who have little value.The other more grave issue is lack of accountability at the top.

The Economist

Alexander Graham Bell would be rolling in his grave at my lack of telephonic etiquette.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grave lack", ensure the context justifies the strong, negative connotation. It's most appropriate when the deficiency has significant, potentially harmful consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "grave lack" in situations where the deficiency is minor or inconsequential. This can create a sense of exaggeration and weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave lack" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "grave" modifies the noun "lack", emphasizing the severity or seriousness of the deficiency. As Ludwig AI also confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grave lack" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes a significant and serious deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms that it is commonly used to highlight a concerning shortage. Its presence across diverse sources like news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedias suggests its adaptability to different contexts, while it remains suitable for formal or neutral registers, but be cautious about overuse in less severe situations. When something important is truly missing, consider using "grave lack" to communicate the seriousness of the situation, backed by expert sources like The New York Times and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious deficiency

Emphasizes the deficiency aspect but uses less strong wording for severity.

critical shortage

Focuses on the insufficient quantity, suggesting an urgent need.

acute deficit

Similar to shortage, but often used in financial or abstract contexts.

significant absence

Highlights the absence, downplaying the potentially negative consequences.

major inadequacy

Points to the insufficiency, implying a failure to meet requirements.

profound scarcity

Emphasizes the rarity and value of what is lacking.

dire need

Highlights the urgency and critical nature of the missing element.

substantial want

Focuses on the desire for what is missing, often in a social context.

severe paucity

Emphasizes the smallness of the amount present, suggesting insufficiency.

marked unavailability

Highlights the inaccessibility of something, suggesting it is not readily obtainable.

FAQs

What does "grave lack" mean?

The phrase "grave lack" refers to a serious or significant deficiency of something essential or important.

How can I use "grave lack" in a sentence?

You can use "grave lack" to highlight a critical shortage or absence. For example: "The investigation revealed a grave lack of oversight in the department."

What are some synonyms for "grave lack"?

Alternatives to "grave lack" include "serious deficiency", "critical shortage", or "significant absence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "serious lack" and "grave lack"?

While both phrases indicate a deficiency, "grave lack" suggests a more severe and potentially dangerous situation than "serious lack". "Grave" emphasizes the severity of the consequences.