lack

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'lack' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about somebody being without something, either because they do not have it or because they have not done it. For example: "The lack of proper sleep caused him to feel exhausted all day long."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There is... a total lack of clarity as to how a government would proceed to unravel a relationship that has developed in complexity over more than 40 years.

The Guardian

Because Republicans are trying, for the third time since he took office, to use economic blackmail to achieve a goal they lack the votes to achieve through the normal legislative process.

The New York Times

Among them is Holly Dolan, a "school healthcare educator," who came down from Pennsylvania because of her "frustration at the lack of understanding of the reforms".

The Guardian

But it will not be for lack of trying.

The Economist

Langton said the lack of numeracy and literacy among Indigenous people is "a tragedy that grows year by year.

The Guardian

The main opposition party could hardly refuse to support it, or it would be displaying lack of confidence in its ability to win the ensuing general election.

The Guardian

But it was also symptomatic of the lack of direction to Liberal Democrat policy or strategy under his leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Sierra Leone ministry of health refused to share data in the early outbreak and instructed the WHO to report only lab-confirmed deaths, thereby excluding the "probable" and "suspect" cases that could not be tested because of the lack of testing facilities.

The Guardian

He admitted that when the virus first struck "there was probably a lack of knowledge and there was a certain degree of arrogance", but he said he believed lessons were being learned.

The Guardian

A Labour-led coalition will lack legitimacy in England and, if it is governing from a clear second-place, it might be better to seek a second election than to first walk into power and then into oblivion.

The Guardian

It was not just an accidental lack of interest in what was going on at Kincora but it was a deliberate cover-up," Long said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack", ensure that the noun following 'of' is specific and clearly defines what is missing or deficient.

Common error

Avoid using "lack" with overly broad or vague nouns, as this can make your writing unclear. For example, instead of saying 'There is a lack of things', be specific: 'There is a lack of resources' or 'There is a lack of funding'.

Linguistic Context

The word "lack" functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it denotes a deficiency or absence. As a verb, it signifies the state of being without something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "lack" is a versatile term used to express a deficiency or absence of something. Functioning as both a noun and a verb, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific writing. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the word "lack", suggesting that you can use it when something is missing or inadequate. While alternatives like "absence of" and "deficiency in" exist, "lack" remains a direct and effective way to communicate a shortage or absence. Remember to use it with specific nouns to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of

Emphasizes the state of something not being present.

deficiency in

Focuses on the inadequacy or shortage of something.

shortage of

Indicates an insufficient supply or amount.

scarcity of

Indicates that something is rare or in short supply.

paucity of

Highlights a small or insufficient quantity.

insufficiency of

Highlights that something is not enough.

want of

Stresses a need or requirement that is not met.

inadequate supply of

Specifies that the amount available is not sufficient.

dearth of

Implies a severe scarcity or absence.

limited amount of

Points to a restricted quantity or extent.

FAQs

How can I use "lack" in a sentence?

You can use "lack" to indicate a deficiency or absence of something. For example, "The project failed due to a "lack of funding"" or "His main problem is a "lack of confidence"".

What's a formal synonym for "lack"?

A formal synonym for "lack" is "deficiency". You can also use "paucity" to highlight a small or insufficient quantity.

Is it better to say "lack of" or "lacking in"?

Both "lack of" and "lacking in" are correct, but they are used differently. "Lack of" is followed by a noun (e.g., "lack of resources"), while "lacking in" is followed by a quality or characteristic (e.g., "lacking in experience").

What's the difference between "lack" and "need"?

"Lack" indicates the absence of something, while "need" indicates a requirement or necessity. For example, a "lack of water" means there is no water available, while a "need for water" means water is required or necessary.