has been lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been lacking" is a grammatically correct, usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something has not been present or available in the past. For example, "Job satisfaction has been lacking in the workplace recently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inexcusably, that has been lacking.

The Economist

In fact, voter education has been lacking.

The New York Times

Until now, however, proof has been lacking.

The Economist

But trust has been lacking.

The New York Times

The putting has been lacking".

The New York Times - Sports

That is what has been lacking here.

The New York Times

Community is one element many say has been lacking.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet common sense is precisely what has been lacking.

The New York Times

That protection has been lacking for some time.

The Guardian

"Now you need political will, which has been lacking".

The New York Times

The whole Ebola operation has been lacking really.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been lacking" to point out deficiencies in systems, qualities, or evidence, especially when you want to highlight the ongoing nature of the absence. For example, "Clear communication has been lacking throughout this project".

Common error

While "has been lacking" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Sometimes, a more direct and concise phrasing, like "is absent" or "is deficient", can provide clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been lacking" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the absence or deficiency of something over a period of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid English construction. Examples from Ludwig show it used to express that trust, proof, or even political will "has been lacking".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been lacking" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express that something has been absent or deficient over time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase enjoys widespread usage across various domains. It is most frequently found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, where it serves to highlight shortcomings or absences. While generally neutral in tone, careful consideration of context is advisable to avoid overuse in excessively formal writing. Consider alternatives like "has been absent" or "has been missing" for nuanced variations. Remember to avoid overusing "has been lacking" in highly formal writing for better clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been absent

Focuses on the complete absence of something.

has been deficient

Emphasizes a shortfall or inadequacy in quality or quantity.

has been missing

Highlights the fact that something is not where it should be or is expected.

has been inadequate

Indicates that something is not sufficient or good enough for a particular purpose.

has fallen short

Suggests a failure to reach a required standard or expectation.

has been wanting

Implies a lack of something desired or needed.

has proven insufficient

Highlights that something was tested but didn't provide the requirements.

has not been present

States directly that something was not there.

has failed to materialize

Emphasizes that something expected did not happen or appear.

has been conspicuous by its absence

Highlights the noticeable absence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "has been lacking" in a sentence?

You can use "has been lacking" to indicate the absence of something. For example, "Attention to detail "has been lacking" in this report."

What are some alternatives to "has been lacking"?

Alternatives include "has been absent", "has been deficient", or "has been missing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "has been lacking" or "is lacking"?

Both "has been lacking" and "is lacking" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Is lacking" implies a present state, while "has been lacking" suggests a condition that has persisted over time.

What's the difference between "has been lacking" and "was lacking"?

"Has been lacking" indicates a lack that started in the past and continues to the present. "Was lacking" indicates a lack that existed in the past but may or may not continue now.