lack detail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack detail" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is insufficiently detailed or lacks specific information. Example: "The report seems to lack detail, making it difficult to understand the project's scope."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They did lack detail.

The Guardian - Business

The photos lack detail at full resolution, however.

The Guardian - Tech

Existing OS maps lack detail that ramblers desire, he said.

The Guardian - Tech

Images also lack detail, while the colours are washed out and dull.

The Guardian - Tech

His renderings of waterworks and pipes are murky and lack detail.

The New York Times - Books

Often the lists lack detail as to what to really look for.

The Washington Post

Radar and satellites can cover swathes of land, yet they lack detail.

The Economist

The front-facing two-megapixel camera is average and produces mediocre selfies that lack detail and colour accuracy.

The Guardian - Tech

Many of the plans laid out in June, however, lack detail and risk being watered down, analysts said.

The New York Times

More than 300 records (accounting for almost 6% of total spending in 2013) lack detail on where organisations are located, for example.

The Guardian

And often those care plans lack detail about the person's preferences, which can have an adverse impact on the quality of care provided.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack detail", ensure the context clearly indicates what is missing or what aspects require more elaboration. For example, specify if it's a plan, report, or description that "lack detail".

Common error

Avoid using "lack detail" without specifying what lacks detail. Instead of saying "the analysis lacks detail", clarify "the analysis lacks detail regarding market segmentation" for better clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack detail" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating a deficiency or absence of specific information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and commonly used expression in English. The phrase typically serves to criticize or point out the incompleteness of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Tech

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack detail" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express that something is insufficiently detailed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability. It's used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and technology, to critique or evaluate the completeness of information. While there are many alternatives, such as "be vague" or "be short on specifics", it's essential to specify what exactly "lack detail" to avoid overgeneralization. Remember to provide specific examples or explanations to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be short on specifics

Emphasizes a deficiency in specific information rather than overall detail.

be vague

Focuses on the absence of clarity and precision.

be imprecise

Highlights the lack of accuracy and exactness.

omit specifics

Highlights that specific information has been left out.

offer a broad outline

Suggests a general overview without delving into particulars.

gloss over the finer points

Implies that important nuances are overlooked.

not go into specifics

Indicates a deliberate avoidance of particular details.

leave out key information

Emphasizes the omission of essential details.

be deficient in particulars

Stresses the inadequacy of particular details.

provide insufficient data

Highlights the lack of necessary information for analysis.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "lacks detail"?

When something "lacks detail", it means it does not provide enough specific information or elaboration, making it difficult to fully understand or analyze. It could be improved by adding more specific facts, explanations, or examples.

How can I improve something that "lacks detail"?

To improve something that "lacks detail", add specific examples, facts, or explanations to support your statements. Consider who your audience is and what information they need to fully understand your point. Also, provide a "comprehensive explanation".

What can I say instead of "lack detail"?

You can use alternatives like "be vague", "be short on specifics", or "omit specifics" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "lack details" or "lack detail"?

While both are understandable, "lack detail" is generally preferred in formal writing as "detail" functions as an uncountable noun in this context. However, using "lack details" isn't grammatically incorrect, but less common.