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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
is wanting in
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"is wanting in" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something is lacking or deficient in a particular quality or characteristic. Example: "The report is wanting in detail." Alternative expressions include "lacking in," "deficient in," and "short on."
✓ Grammatically correct
Academia
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
20 human-written examples
This is wanting, in Berridge's scheme.
News & Media
P1 is wanting in Yale copy.
Academia
Also, the equation is wanting in that it does not predict condensation.
Encyclopedias
Then he is wanting in reverence, and should be whipped for it.
News & Media
" Licensed according to order". Either ESTC R176432 or R37784; determined by imprint, which is wanting in the Beinecke Library copy.
Academia
Second half has caption title "A rare example of a vertuous maid in Paris", which is wanting in the Beinecke Library copy.
Academia
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
40 human-written examples
Hardan is wanted in connection with attacks in Jerusalem.
News & Media
He is wanted in the US on espionage charges.
News & Media
He is wanted in eight attacks from November through July 9.
News & Media
It is wanted in a time of repetition.
News & Media
Lewthwaite is wanted in Kenya on terrorism charges.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "is wanting in", ensure clarity by specifying exactly what quality or aspect is deficient. For example, instead of saying "The plan is wanting in", specify "The plan is wanting in detail."
Common error
Avoid confusing "is wanting in" with phrases indicating a need. "Wanting" in this context means lacking, not requiring. Instead of saying "The project is wanting in resources (meaning it needs resources)", use "The project needs more resources."
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "is wanting in" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, indicating a deficiency or lack of a specific quality or attribute. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to point out what something is missing or where it falls short.
Frequent in
News & Media
32%
Academia
25%
Encyclopedias
16%
Less common in
Wiki
9%
Science
9%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "is wanting in" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote a lack or deficiency. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's crucial to specify what aspect is deficient to ensure clarity. Common errors include confusing "wanting" with "needing", so careful attention should be paid to the intended meaning. Appearing frequently in diverse sources like "The New York Times", "Encyclopedia Britannica", and academic papers from Yale University, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for professional and academic writing. Alternatives like "lacks", "is deficient in", and "is lacking in" can be used depending on the desired nuance.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
lacks
This alternative is a direct synonym, implying absence of something.
is deficient in
This alternative replaces "wanting" with "deficient", emphasizing a lack of necessary quality.
is lacking in
Using "lacking" instead of "wanting" provides a more common and straightforward alternative.
falls short in
This phrase implies that something doesn't reach a required standard or expectation.
is inadequate in
Substituting "wanting" with "inadequate" highlights that something is insufficient for a specific purpose.
is missing
This alternative directly states that something is absent.
is devoid of
This option suggests a complete absence of something, making it a stronger statement.
is without
This alternative simply indicates the absence of a particular quality or feature.
doesn't have
A more informal way of expressing the absence of something.
is absent of
This alternative uses "absent" instead of "wanting", indicating something is not present.
FAQs
What does "is wanting in" mean?
The phrase "is wanting in" means lacking or deficient in a particular quality or aspect. It indicates that something is missing or inadequate.
How to use "is wanting in" in a sentence?
Use "is wanting in" to describe what something lacks. For example, "The analysis "is wanting in" sufficient evidence".
What can I say instead of "is wanting in"?
You can use alternatives like "lacks", "is deficient in", or "is lacking in", depending on the context.
Which is correct, "is wanting in" or "is needing in"?
"Is wanting in" is correct to express a deficiency. "Is needing in" is grammatically incorrect; use "needs" or "requires" instead.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested