it lacks credibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it lacks credibility" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the reliability or trustworthiness of a statement, source, or argument. For example, "The report lacks credibility due to its unverified sources." Alternative expressions include "it is not credible" and "it is untrustworthy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The Labor government has been particularly concerned because, in part through its involvement in the Iraq war, it lacks credibility with many British Muslims.

The New York Times

Sometimes this reporting is credible and warrants intense focus, other times it lacks credibility and is highly unlikely to be reflective of real plots underway.

Huffington Post

It lacks credibility," Bury said.

The Guardian

"It lacks credibility," Mr. Meunier added.

The New York Times

He called it "patently insufficient" and said it "lacks credibility".

The New York Times

The committee correctly concludes that it lacks credibility and authority.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But Mr Herbert denied that this meant that it lacked credibility.

The Guardian

She claimed asylum in October 2013 but this was rejected because, her supporters said, the Home Office thought it lacked credibility.

The Guardian

The cheating report, Mr. Thacher said, was so flawed that it lacked credibility, amounting to "nothing more than a terrible miscarriage of justice".

The New York Times

After the NGOs and torture victims boycotted Sir Peter Gibson's inquiry, because it lacked credibility, it probably won't have the damning impact it should have when it is finally published this week.

The Guardian - Opinion

Asaba, who has been at Yarl's Wood for the past three months, claimed asylum in October 2013, but this was rejected because, her supporters say, the Home Office thought it lacked credibility.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, pair this phrase with a 'because' clause to specify why the subject is untrustworthy, such as unverified sources or biased reporting.

Common error

Do not use "it lacks credibility" simply to mean 'it is wrong'. A statement can be factually correct but still lack credibility if the person delivering it has a history of dishonesty or if the evidence provided is weak.

Linguistic Context

This is a predicate phrase functioning as a declarative statement. It consists of the dummy subject pronoun 'it', the transitive verb 'lacks' and the abstract noun 'credibility'. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase serves as a categorical dismissal of a claim's reliability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "it lacks credibility" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase for expressing skepticism toward claims or sources. Ludwig AI shows that it is a staple in professional journalism and academic writing, appearing in top-tier publications to describe everything from political plans to scientific reports. It is most powerful when used to denote a failure in trustworthiness rather than just a factual error. For more precise nuances, consider using alternatives like "it lacks validity" in research contexts or "it is not believable" for more informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is not believable

Focuses on the subjective capacity for a person to accept the statement as true

it lacks validity

More technical and often used in research to describe a flawed methodology

it is untrustworthy

Suggests a more personal or moral failure in the source itself

it is devoid of credibility

A more emphatic way to state there is absolutely no trust remaining

it is unfounded

Indicates that the claim has no basis in fact or evidence

it holds no weight

Idiomatic expression suggesting the argument has no influence or substance

it has no merit

Dismisses the claim as having no worth or logical standing

it is dubious

Suggests that something is suspect or of questionable value

it is questionable

Implies that the claim is open to doubt and requires further scrutiny

it does not ring true

A metaphorical way to say a statement sounds false or inconsistent

FAQs

How do I use "it lacks credibility" in a sentence?

You can use it to dismiss an argument or source. For example, "The report lacks credibility because the authors failed to disclose their funding sources."

What is another way to say "it lacks credibility"?

You can use alternatives like "it is not believable", "it is untrustworthy" or "it lacks validity" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it lacks credibility"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is a standard English construction used frequently in high-level journalism and academic debate.

What is the difference between "it lacks credibility" and "it is unreliable"?

While similar, "it lacks credibility" specifically refers to whether someone or something can be believed or trusted, whereas "it is unreliable" implies that it cannot be depended on for consistent results.