lack of greatness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of greatness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deficiency or absence of exceptional quality or achievement in a person, work, or situation. Example: "The film was entertaining, but its lack of greatness left many viewers disappointed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But Robert Cyran says the device suffers from a lack of greatness, and Bob Cringely believes  the new tablet is no Moses event: "It's puzzling to think how Microsoft will position these tablets.

The New York Times

Her longevity may be extended by the lack of greatness competing for the same titles.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The soccer at this World Cup lacked a sense of greatness.

The New York Times - Sports

Bond also pins down the lack of correspondence between poetic greatness and domestic bliss: Bond's Shakespeare bars his bedroom door to his imploratory wife and daughter.

The Guardian

It stalled at No 20, but quickly became a fan favourite (for me, like many other 15-year-olds stuck in suburbia, its lack of commercial success underlined its greatness).

The Guardian - Music

As the Bard wrote, "Be not afraid of greatness: Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them".

Forbes

Two other essential elements of greatness that Big Brown will apparently lack are racing distinction as a 2-year-old and durability.

The New York Times

Many cling to a seeming lack of trophies to highlight his non-greatness but it was fair to describe in this very paper his return to Boca as "a triumph of poetry over prose" some years ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Like a master surgeon, the mark of his greatness has been a lack of external marks; he's become invincible by appearing almost invisible.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet she had mahatmaic sparks of greatness.

The Economist

It should take the measure of greatness.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lack of greatness" to critique a subject objectively, focusing on specific areas where improvement is needed rather than making sweeping generalizations.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of greatness" when simply expressing personal disappointment. Reserve it for situations where there's a demonstrably significant absence of exceptional qualities expected within the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of greatness" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the absence or deficiency of exceptional qualities, merit, or achievement, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of greatness" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the absence or deficiency of exceptional qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, typically serving an evaluative or critical purpose. While considered rare in overall frequency, it appears more commonly in news and media contexts. Alternatives such as "absence of excellence" or "deficiency in achievement" may be used for nuanced expression. When using "lack of greatness", ensure it is applied objectively to specific areas needing improvement, avoiding overuse in exaggerated or purely subjective scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of excellence

Emphasizes the non-existence of superior quality or skill.

deficiency in achievement

Highlights a shortfall in accomplishments or successes.

want of distinction

Indicates a lack of noteworthy or remarkable characteristics.

paucity of merit

Stresses the scarcity of commendable qualities or value.

shortage of brilliance

Focuses on the insufficient presence of exceptional intelligence or talent.

absence of significance

Highlights the lack of importance or consequence.

inadequacy of talent

Points out the insufficient amount of skill or ability.

failure to impress

Emphasizes the inability to create a positive or strong impact.

mediocrity

Directly states the state of being average or ordinary.

ordinary nature

Highlights the common and unremarkable quality.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of greatness" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of greatness" to describe something that doesn't meet expectations for exceptional quality or achievement. For example: "The project suffered from a "lack of greatness" due to insufficient resources."

What are some alternatives to saying "lack of greatness"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "absence of excellence", "deficiency in achievement", or "want of distinction".

Is it better to say "absence of greatness" or "lack of greatness"?

Both "absence of greatness" and ""lack of greatness"" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. "Absence" might emphasize a complete void, while "lack" suggests a deficiency.

How does "lack of greatness" differ from "failure"?

"Failure" implies a complete lack of success, whereas ""lack of greatness"" suggests that something may be successful to some degree but doesn't reach an exceptional level. The first is a binary concept (success/failure) whereas the latter is used to describe in a more nuanced way the quality of an accomplishment.