greatly deficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greatly deficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is significantly lacking or insufficient in quality, quantity, or effectiveness. Example: "The report was greatly deficient in providing the necessary data to support the conclusions drawn."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Accounts of life under the regime therefore remained sketchy, our understanding of what made its cogs turn greatly deficient.

The New Yorker

When completed, the Pensacola-class displaced less than expected, at, which was less than expected, and were found to be greatly deficient in their protection.

Wikipedia

In 1774 Gilbert Pasley and James Anderson wrote to the Board about the European medicines received for 1773, which had arrived "much damaged on account of the careless and injudicious Package of them," and they added that the "supply of surgical Instruments is likewise greatly deficient".

Bulletin of the History of Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When these cells were treated with DFO, phosphorylation of SMC1 at Ser966 was detected in control and ATM-deficient cells, but it was greatly decreased in ATR-deficient cell.

Cell Death and Disease

The public transportation system, although deficient, improved greatly with the inauguration, in 1983, of a modern subway system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Furthermore, this chronicity was not due to high levels of IL-10, as the level of infection was not greatly altered in mice deficient in this immunosuppressive cytokine.

Cell Host and Microbe

Furthermore, reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is greatly increased in p53 deficient cells, suggesting that p53 may act as a 'barrier for induced pluripotency' (Krizhanovsky and Lowe, 2009).

eLife

Here, we isolated 91 (83 known and 8 novel) up- and 81 (75 known and 6 novel) down-regulated miRNAs from B-deficient leaves (Additional files 3 and 5), indicating that B-deficiency greatly affected the expression profiles of miRNAs in leaves.

BMC Plant Biology

As we had suspected, ABCA1 expression was greatly reduced in LRP1-deficient vessels as well as cultured primary smooth muscle cells.

Plosone

Germ cell nuclear antigen (GCNA), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and c-kit-positive germ cells were all greatly reduced in VRK1-deficient seminiferous tubules.

Plosone

Both MIP2 and S100A9 expression was greatly upregulated in TAK1-deficient colon, presumably due to an increased activity of infiltrated immune cell (Fig. 2C).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "greatly deficient", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect is lacking or inadequate to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "greatly deficient" in casual conversation or informal writing; opt for simpler, more direct language like "very lacking" or "not good enough".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatly deficient" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a significant lack or inadequacy. Ludwig shows that it's used to describe things that fall considerably short of expectations or requirements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "greatly deficient" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to denote a significant lack or inadequacy. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, especially in formal and scientific contexts. While not overly common, it effectively conveys a critical assessment. When writing, be mindful of overuse in informal situations. Consider alternatives like "severely lacking" or "significantly inadequate" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severely lacking

Emphasizes a strong degree of inadequacy, similar to "greatly deficient".

significantly inadequate

Highlights the inadequacy in a noticeable way, mirroring the meaning of "greatly deficient".

highly insufficient

Focuses on the lack of sufficiency, comparable to "greatly deficient".

woefully inadequate

Implies a regrettable or lamentable inadequacy, adding an emotional tone.

considerably lacking

Indicates a notable absence or deficiency.

markedly insufficient

Stresses the obviousness of the insufficiency.

substantially wanting

Highlights that something is missing to a significant extent.

seriously impaired

Focuses on the impairment caused by the deficiency, shifting the emphasis.

critically flawed

Emphasizes a fundamental problem that makes something deficient.

distinctly substandard

Indicates that something fails to meet the required standard.

FAQs

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

You can use "greatly deficient" to describe something that is significantly lacking. For example, "The report was "greatly deficient" in data."

What are some alternatives to "greatly deficient"?

Alternatives include "severely lacking", "significantly inadequate", or "highly insufficient", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "greatly deficient" formal or informal?

"Greatly deficient" is considered more formal. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "very lacking" may be more appropriate.

What makes something "greatly deficient"?

Something is "greatly deficient" when it has a substantial and noticeable lack in quality, quantity, or necessary attributes. For example, a security system might be "greatly deficient" if it has major vulnerabilities.