lack of means

USAGE SUMMARY

"lack of means" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It refers to a lack of resources or money. For example: "The organization lacked the financial means to address the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Vulnerability has thus two sides: an external side of risks, shocks, and stress to which an individual or household is subject; and an internal side which is defencelessness, meaning a lack of means to cope with damaging loss' (Chambers 2006).

Pastoralism

Sleek postwar Airstreams notwithstanding, travel trailers usually suggest a lack of means and class.

The New York Times

Regional analysts say, however, that the moderation stems from a lack of means to influence North Korean behavior.

The New York Times

Despite a robust tradition, our tourism suffers — as does our enchanting environment for lack of means to protect it.

The Washington Post

Although cloud adoption has increased in recent years, it is still hampered by the lack of means for data accountability.

The Cloud Security Ecosystem Technical, Legal, Business and Management Issues

Her plump face also remained uncovered as she outlined her life on the run and her lack of means to do anything about her predicament.

The Guardian

I have this little prayer I say, where I tell myself that the lack of means is somehow working in my favour.

The Guardian - Film

Or they feel filled with anger and self-loathing because they're fat or unlucky or embarrassed about their lack of means or meager prospects.

The New York Times - Books

Aneurin Bevan once said: "No society can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of a lack of means".

The Guardian

Fernando Jorge Barreto Costa, the deputy director of judicial police, said: "We have a lack of means to fight drug smugglers.

The Guardian

Many prisoners are detained after they have finished their sentence because of the lack of means to repatriate them to Ethiopia.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about socio-economic issues, use "lack of means" to emphasize the material limitations preventing individuals or communities from achieving certain goals. For example, "The project failed due to a lack of means to secure necessary equipment".

Common error

Avoid implying that individuals experiencing a "lack of means" are simply not trying hard enough. The phrase refers to systemic barriers and resource deprivation, not personal shortcomings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of means" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of deficiency, specifically the absence of necessary resources. Ludwig shows numerous examples of this usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of means" is a noun phrase used to describe the absence of necessary resources, particularly financial ones. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is widely used across various domains, including news, science, and encyclopedias, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. The phrase carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While grammatically sound, remember to consider the broader implications when using this phrase, avoiding any suggestion that individuals facing a "lack of means" are solely responsible for their circumstances. Consider using alternative phrases like "paucity of funds" or "resource scarcity" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate resources

Directly states that the available resources are not sufficient for the task or need.

financial constraints

Indicates restrictions or limitations imposed by financial circumstances.

shortage of funds

Emphasizes the insufficient supply or availability of funds for a particular purpose.

insufficiency of funds

Specifically highlights the inadequacy of monetary resources.

paucity of funds

Emphasizes the scarcity or limited amount of financial resources.

limited financial capacity

Indicates a restricted ability to manage or utilize financial resources effectively.

unavailability of resources

Focuses on the non-existence or inaccessibility of necessary resources.

absence of financial support

Highlights the lack of external funding or assistance.

resource scarcity

Highlights the limited availability of various types of resources, not just financial.

economic hardship

Focuses on the difficulties and suffering caused by a lack of financial resources.

FAQs

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

Use "lack of means" to describe situations where someone or something doesn't have enough resources (usually financial) to achieve a particular goal. For example, "The program was discontinued due to a lack of means".

What phrases are similar to "lack of means"?

You can use phrases like "paucity of funds", "resource scarcity", or "financial constraints" as alternatives to "lack of means".

Is it appropriate to use "lack of means" in formal writing?

Yes, "lack of means" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a neutral and professional way to describe a deficiency in resources.

What's the difference between "lack of means" and "lack of effort"?

"Lack of means" refers to a shortage of resources, often financial, while "lack of effort" refers to a deficiency in trying or working towards a goal. These phrases are not interchangeable.