is found lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is found lacking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is insufficient or inadequate in some way. Example: "The report is found lacking in detail, which affects its overall credibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

If one group is found lacking, the school is placed on the list.

The New York Times

Today, when higher education has become addicted to finding technical solutions to educational problems it is inevitable that all the buzzwords – innovative teaching, active learning, student engagement – are hurled at the poor old lecture and it is found lacking.

The Guardian

While it is understandable why the SFDRR is so carefully politic in accepting the separation of climate change from disaster risk reduction, the SFDRR is found lacking an appropriate framing of climate change.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Needless to say, the child is found lacking.

Huffington Post

Often, where the bullied student is found lacking is in the area of gender compliance.

Huffington Post

"Ulysses" is found lacking in narrative action; the hero's goal is vague, and by the poem's famous last line, it is not clear for what he is "striving", or to what he refuses to yield.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But if I wasn't prepared I was found lacking.

The New Yorker

It was just the last 2% where I was found lacking".

The Guardian - Sport

VG's analysis of the economy was found lacking by David K. in Oxford, England.

The New York Times

Finally, the state's expert witness was an upstate radiologist who did very little mammography work and who was found lacking in credibility.

The New York Times

He had a great resume and a fairly solid conservative record, but was found lacking after a series of embarrassing debate performances.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is found lacking" to objectively state a deficiency based on evidence or analysis. It implies a formal assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "is found lacking" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "is missing" or "doesn't have enough" for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is found lacking" functions as a passive verb phrase. It is used to indicate that a subject has been evaluated and determined to be deficient or inadequate in some aspect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

17%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is found lacking" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to denote a deficiency or inadequacy identified through some form of evaluation. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it is prevalent in news and media as well as scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, reserve it for situations where you want to convey an objective assessment of a shortfall. Related phrases, such as "is deemed insufficient" or "falls short", can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas depending on the desired level of formality and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is deemed insufficient

Focuses on a judgment of insufficiency.

is considered inadequate

Emphasizes a consideration of inadequacy.

is proven deficient

Highlights a demonstrated deficiency.

is shown to be wanting

Uses a more formal tone to indicate something is missing.

is revealed as inadequate

Indicates a discovery of inadequacy.

is exposed as deficient

Suggests the deficiency has been revealed, often unexpectedly.

falls short

A more concise, informal way to express inadequacy.

doesn't measure up

Implies a failure to meet a specific standard or expectation.

fails to meet requirements

Specifically indicates a failure to satisfy necessary criteria.

is not up to par

Suggests something doesn't meet the expected level of quality or performance.

FAQs

How can I use "is found lacking" in a sentence?

Use "is found lacking" to describe something that has been assessed and determined to be deficient in a specific area. For example, "The report "is found lacking" in detail".

What's a more formal way to say "is found lacking"?

A more formal alternative is "is deemed insufficient" or "is considered inadequate", which provide a similar meaning but with a more elevated tone.

What can I say instead of "is found lacking" in casual conversation?

In casual contexts, consider using phrases like "falls short" or "doesn't measure up" as they are more approachable and easily understood.

How does ""is found lacking"" differ from "is missing"?

"Is missing" simply indicates something is absent, while ""is found lacking"" implies a deficiency after evaluation. The latter suggests a standard or expectation wasn't met.