is lacking in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is lacking in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something being short of or not having something necessary or desirable. For example: "Without adequate funding, many schools in developing countries are lacking in basic resources such as books and equipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is lacking in balance.

The Guardian

"I don't feel anything is lacking in my life.

The Guardian

What is lacking in the writer's life is reverence.

The New Yorker

The MAO show is lacking in several respects.

The Guardian - Arts

The attention of the global community is lacking in Syria.

The Guardian - Business

British television is lacking in that kind of show.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The locale is lacking in texture and dimension.

The Guardian - Books

Education is lacking in most of those who pontificate".

The Guardian - Books

"I think that is what is lacking in this country.

The New Yorker

Except in pythons, erectile tissue is lacking in hemipenes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A liberal party is lacking in this balance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is lacking in", ensure that the sentence clearly identifies what is missing and what the subject is deficient in. For example, "The proposal is lacking in specific details."

Common error

Avoid vague statements. Instead of saying "The project is lacking", specify what aspect of the project is deficient, such as "The project is lacking in a clear marketing strategy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is lacking in" functions as a copular verb followed by an adjective phrase, indicating a deficiency or absence of a particular quality or attribute. Ludwig examples show it describes shortcomings in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Books

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is lacking in" is a versatile and frequently used expression to denote a deficiency or absence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various writing contexts. The phrase is prevalent in news, science, and book-related content. To enhance clarity, always specify what is missing. Consider using synonyms such as "is deficient in" or "falls short in" for variety. Avoid vagueness by clearly stating the missing element. Masterful use of "is lacking in" involves precision and context awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is deficient in

Replaces "lacking" with "deficient", emphasizing a shortfall or inadequacy.

is wanting in

A more formal way of saying "is lacking in", implying a deficiency.

is deficient of

Expresses deficiency but can sound archaic in some contexts.

is devoid of

Indicates a complete absence of something.

is inadequate in

Emphasizes that something is insufficient or not good enough in a certain aspect.

is without

A simple way to indicate the absence of something.

falls short in

Focuses on the failure to reach a certain standard or expectation.

has a deficit of

Highlights a shortage or imbalance.

is missing

A direct and simple way of saying something is not present.

does not possess

A formal way of indicating the absence of a quality or attribute.

FAQs

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

Use "is lacking in" to indicate that something is missing or deficient in a particular quality or aspect. For instance, "The presentation "is lacking in" visual aids" means the presentation needs more visual elements.

What are some alternatives to "is lacking in"?

You can use alternatives like "is deficient in", "is devoid of", or "falls short in" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "is lacking in" or "lacks"?

Both "is lacking in" and "lacks" are correct, but "lacks" is often more concise. For example, "The report lacks detail" is shorter than "The report "is lacking in" detail".

What's the difference between "is lacking in" and "is missing"?

"Is missing" simply indicates absence, while ""is lacking in"" suggests a deficiency or inadequacy. Saying "The ingredient is missing" means it's not there, while "The dish "is lacking in" flavor" implies it needs more flavor.