it is only lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is only lacking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is missing or deficient in a particular aspect. Example: "The project is nearly complete, but it is only lacking a few final touches before submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most philosophers of science, however, have not embraced the idea that it is only lack of imagination which prevents us from finding empirical equivalents to our scientific theories generally.

SEP

Below, we discuss the various methods used to uncover a Rickettsia T4SS that is only lacking a virB5 homolog.

Plosone

It's only lack of (gentle) contact with people during the formative first couple of months of their lives that drives feral cats (and dogs) to develop a life-long distrust of humans.

The Guardian - Opinion

For in the final analysis it is only a lack of confidence in the ability of trial judges to control discovery, buttressed by appellate judges' independent appraisal of the plausibility of profoundly serious factual allegations, that could account for this stark break from precedent.

Cornell University

It is only through lack of a historical sense that national qualities have been attributed to it".

BBC

These results clearly show that merging these two datasets has been synergistic, and therefore corroborates the hypothesis that it is only the lack of overlap in chemical space preventing better prediction scores in the separate models.

Journal of Cheminformatics

"The great moat that protects us, and it is only temporary, is lack of broadband access," Mr. Valenti said.

The New York Times - Tech

It is only the woeful lack of scientific literacy in this country that gives this false "controversy" any legs at all.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, it is only where the lack of evidence significantly affects the outcome of the decision that the court is willing to exercise its power of judicial review and intervene on this ground.

Wikipedia

Some policy makers have hailed the Education Trust's report, saying it shows that if disadvantaged students don't achieve at high levels, it is only because public educators lack the will to teach them.

The New York Times

But you seem to me to be afraid that your books may be bigger than you are yourself; but it is only stature that you lack, not girth.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "it is only lacking" with stronger synonyms such as "it lacks" or "it requires" when aiming for a more concise and impactful statement.

Common error

Avoid embedding "it is only lacking" within overly complex sentence structures. This can lead to convoluted writing. Instead, simplify the sentence to emphasize the missing element directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is only lacking" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is almost complete or sufficient but has a single, specific deficiency. It serves to temper criticism or highlight a particular area for improvement. Ludwig AI indicates this is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is only lacking" functions to express that something is deficient in one particular aspect, and Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While grammatically sound and generally acceptable, its usage frequency is low. More direct alternatives like "it lacks" are often preferred. The contexts where this phrase can be found are diverse, but Ludwig's data indicates its usage is not particularly concentrated in one over the other. When employing this phrase, ensure the missing element is clearly identified for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it merely lacks

Emphasizes the simplicity of the deficiency; it's just missing something.

it simply lacks

Highlights the straightforward nature of the absence.

it only misses

Focuses on what is absent from the subject.

it is solely missing

Underscores that the absence is the only issue.

it just requires

Shifts the focus to what is needed to complete the subject.

it remains incomplete due to

Highlights the state of being unfinished because of a particular reason.

the sole deficiency is

Points out that the only problem is a specific absence.

its only shortcoming is

Identifies the lack as a weakness or fault.

it is exclusively wanting in

Emphasizes that the absence is the only exclusive problem.

the only thing missing is

Highlights that a specific thing is absent and it is the only thing that needs to be added.

FAQs

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

Use "it is only lacking" to indicate that something is nearly complete or satisfactory, but has a single deficiency. For example, "The report is well-researched; "it is only lacking" a conclusion."

What are some alternatives to "it is only lacking"?

Alternatives include "it merely lacks", "it simply lacks", or "it only misses". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"It lacks" is often more concise and direct. "It is only lacking" can be used when you want to emphasize that the deficiency is minor or singular, providing a slightly softer tone.

What's the difference between "it is lacking" and "it is only lacking"?

"It is lacking" simply states that something is missing. "It is only lacking" implies that the absence is the sole or primary issue preventing completion or satisfaction.