he lacks

USAGE SUMMARY

"he lacks" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You might use it to indicate that someone is missing something they need, either physically or metaphorically. For example: "He lacks the courage to make a change in his life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He lacks N.B.A. quickness".

The New York Times - Sports

He lacks only security.

The New York Times - Arts

"He lacks the leadership".

The New York Times

He lacks music.

The New Yorker

But he lacks charisma.

The Economist

He lacks public support.

The Guardian - Opinion

He lacks authoritative charisma.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he lacks bipartisan support.

The Economist

He lacks depth and dimension.

The New York Times - Books

He lacks any middle range.

The New Yorker

He lacks a commanding presence.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he lacks" to concisely express a deficiency in a person's skills, qualities, or resources. For instance, "He lacks the experience necessary for the job" is more direct than saying "He does not have the required experience for the job".

Common error

While "he lacks" is grammatically correct, overuse in formal writing can sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "he is deficient in", "he falls short of", or "he does not possess" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he lacks" functions as a declarative statement to indicate that a person is deficient in something. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples like "He lacks experience" demonstrate its use in conveying a lack of skill or attribute.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he lacks" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a deficiency in someone's attributes, skills, or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Analysis of various sources reveals that it is most frequently used in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, consider using synonyms such as "he is deficient in" or "he falls short of" for more formal or varied writing. When using "he lacks", ensure you are accurately and fairly representing the individual's shortcomings, and avoid overuse to maintain clarity and sophistication in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is deficient in

Emphasizes a specific area where someone is not adequate.

he is wanting in

Highlights a specific need or desire that is unmet.

he falls short of

Implies a failure to reach a required standard or expectation.

he doesn't possess

States that someone does not have a particular quality or item.

he is without

Indicates the absence of something, often a quality or resource.

he has no

Directly states that someone does not have something.

he is devoid of

Implies a complete absence of something, often a positive quality.

he fails to demonstrate

Suggests an inability to show evidence of a specific quality or skill.

he struggles with

Highlights a difficulty or challenge in a particular area.

he comes up short in

Indicates a failure to meet a requirement in a specific situation.

FAQs

How can I use "he lacks" in a sentence?

The phrase "he lacks" is used to indicate that someone is missing something, such as a quality, skill, or resource. For example, "He lacks the confidence to speak in public".

What can I say instead of "he lacks"?

You can use alternatives like "he is deficient in", "he falls short of", or "he does not possess" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he lacks"?

Yes, "he lacks" is grammatically correct. The verb "lacks" agrees with the singular pronoun "he".

What's the difference between "he lacks" and "he is lacking"?

"He lacks" is a simple present tense statement indicating a current deficiency. "He is lacking" is present continuous, which can imply a temporary or ongoing deficiency. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.