gravely deficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gravely deficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is seriously lacking or inadequate in a significant way. Example: "The report revealed that the resources allocated for the project were gravely deficient, leading to numerous setbacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The bureau's own security safeguards seem to have been gravely deficient.

The New York Times

(It said that the situation for non-Catholics was "gravely deficient").

The New Yorker

But in September, the Vatican issued a document titled "Dominus Iesus" ("The Lord Jesus") that condemned "relativistic theories" of religious pluralism and described other faiths as "gravely deficient".

The New York Times

On the other hand, it can mean that, in shutting the last theological windows of Vatican II, you are dismissing Islam as one more "gravely deficient" sect.

The New Yorker

While I am not a Catholic, I am disturbed that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, issued a Vatican document in 2000, "Dominus Jesus," which said the Roman Catholic Church was the only true path to salvation and declared that other faiths were "gravely deficient".

The New York Times

This statement appears to conflict sharply with the document issued by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the director of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, declaring that non-Christian religions "are in a gravely deficient situation in comparison with those who in the church have the fullness of the means of salvation".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"Yin deficient.

The New Yorker

Small urchins angle gravely,.

The New Yorker

"Moke," it pronounced gravely.

The New Yorker

Thus filmmakers philosophize gravely".

The New Yorker

His friend nodded gravely.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gravely deficient" to describe situations where the lack is not just minor but has serious implications. For instance, "The security measures were gravely deficient, leading to a major data breach."

Common error

Avoid using "gravely deficient" in everyday conversation or informal writing. The phrase carries a weight of seriousness and is best reserved for formal or critical contexts where the deficiency has significant consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gravely deficient" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, emphasizing the severity of the deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, highlighting its role in describing something seriously lacking.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gravely deficient" is used to describe situations where something is seriously lacking or inadequate. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in formal contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "seriously inadequate" and "critically lacking" exist, "gravely deficient" carries a weight of seriousness that makes it appropriate for critical evaluations and analytical reports. Therefore, it's essential to reserve its use for situations where the deficiency has significant and serious consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriously inadequate

Emphasizes the insufficiency or unacceptability of something due to its deficiency.

critically lacking

Highlights a crucial absence that is detrimental or essential.

severely wanting

Indicates a strong need or requirement that is far from being met.

profoundly inadequate

Stresses the depth and extent of the inadequacy.

extremely insufficient

Emphasizes that something isn't nearly enough.

woefully lacking

Suggests a regrettable and significant deficiency.

markedly deficient

Highlights the noticeable and clear deficiency.

badly wanting

Similar to "severely wanting", but with a slightly less formal tone.

significantly lacking

Emphasizes that the absence is important and impactful.

acutely insufficient

Indicates a severe and pressing lack.

FAQs

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

You can use "gravely deficient" to describe something that is seriously lacking or inadequate, such as "The safety protocols were "gravely deficient", leading to several accidents".

What phrases are similar to "gravely deficient"?

Alternatives to "gravely deficient" include phrases like "seriously inadequate", "critically lacking", or "severely wanting".

When is it appropriate to use "gravely deficient"?

It is appropriate to use "gravely deficient" in formal contexts where a serious lack or inadequacy needs to be emphasized. This is often seen in reports, analyses, and critical evaluations.

Is "gravely deficient" interchangeable with "slightly deficient"?

No, "gravely deficient" and "slightly deficient" are not interchangeable. "Gravely deficient" implies a severe and significant lack, while "slightly deficient" suggests a minor inadequacy.