it only lacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it only lacks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is missing a specific element or quality that would complete or enhance it. Example: "The project is nearly finished; it only lacks a final review before submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

My decision to have my gravestone put in at the same time as Carol's, in early August — it only lacks the final numbers — wasn't easy, but has turned out to be comforting, not creepy.

The New Yorker

The placozoan Trichoplax adhaerens has a similar MAGUK repertoire as Cnidaria, as it only lacks the MPP5 class and it has instead a DLG5 homolog, which is actually missing in Cnidaria.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Some rat RAGE splice variants are related to murine RAGE splice variants (table 1), of which RnorRAGEv3 (related to mRAGE_v4) is broadly expressed and quite similar in protein structure to TV1-RAGE as it only lacks the short region between the second IgC.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

US generals, Rolling Stone, ill-conceived conflicts, weekly magazines setting the agenda; it only lacked the involvement of Joan Baez and Walter Cronkite to complete the feeling that we had woken up in 1968.

The Guardian

It not only lacks the obvious permanence of a movie or book; it lacks even the place in our memory accorded a great concert or play.

The New York Times - Magazine

Despite the official stance of the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation that it not only lacks the resources to resettle civilians but also cannot guarantee their safety upon return, Sweden continues to send back refugees.

Huffington Post

The AV node (or parts of it at least) not only lacks high-conductance connexins but also Nav1.5 as already mentioned and, consequently, the large and fast inward INa.

Heart Rhythm

"The ISC not only lacks independence – it has also sadly been proven to be completely hopeless as a watchdog.

The Guardian

Anything less not only lacks fairness, it also lack reliability.

Huffington Post

But the company only lacks one thing — revenue growth.

TechCrunch

Room A317 not only lacked air-conditioning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it only lacks" when you want to point out that something is nearly complete or sufficient, needing just one more thing to be whole.

Common error

Avoid using "it only lacks" when the deficiency is actually significant or multifaceted. This phrase is most effective when the missing element is relatively minor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it only lacks" functions as a descriptor, indicating that something is nearly complete but is missing a specific component. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it only lacks" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something is nearly complete but needs one final element. While considered rare in overall usage, as determined by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, making it a useful phrase for highlighting minor deficiencies. When using this phrase, ensure that the missing element is indeed relatively minor to maintain accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it simply needs

Emphasizes the straightforward requirement of something.

it merely requires

Highlights the minimal effort or addition necessary.

it just requires

Similar to "it merely requires" but with a more casual tone.

it solely requires

Highlights that nothing else besides the mentioned element is needed.

it exclusively needs

Indicates that only the specified thing is required.

it alone omits

Focuses on the single element that is left out or excluded.

it principally excludes

Indicates the main exclusion but possibly implying others.

it primarily misses

Focuses on the primary element that is not present.

it essentially lacks

Highlights the fundamental absence of something.

it virtually lacks

Implies that the absence is almost complete or as good as complete.

FAQs

How can I use "it only lacks" in a sentence?

Use "it only lacks" to indicate that something is almost complete but needs one final element. For example, "The proposal is excellent; "it only lacks" a detailed budget."

What are some alternatives to saying "it only lacks"?

You can use alternatives such as "it simply needs", "it merely requires", or "it just needs", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it only lacks"?

Yes, "it only lacks" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express that something is missing a single, specific element.

What is the difference between "it only lacks" and "it completely lacks"?

"It only lacks" suggests that something is mostly complete, while "it completely lacks" implies a total absence. They have nearly opposite meanings.