lack of number

USAGE SUMMARY

'lack of number' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to a shortage or insufficient amount of something. For example, "The lack of number of volunteers was an issue for the charity event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

This lack of number "portability" is an oddly paralyzing feature for a product that is all about promising hypermobility.

The New York Times

The cause of their shock was the number (or, rather, the lack of number) of genes that it took to carry the blueprint for a human being.

The Economist

The new one, with its dedicated display bar and lack of number pad, is in my humble opinion a vastly superior design.

TechCrunch

The latter can be caused by a lack of number of measurements used in functional identification or by a lack of complex cells in the neural circuit.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Meanwhile the interviewee in Marginalization type had low fashion sensitivity, but it can't be generalized because of lack of number of case.

Fashion and Textiles

Guitarist Steve Van Zandt said that the Working on a Dream songs that were played were "big" songs, so that made up for their lack of number.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

One of them is a lack of numbers.

The Guardian - Sport

Having to make do with a lack of numbers is nothing new for the tiny kingdom.

The Guardian - Sport

But a lack of interest and a lack of numbers led to the sport being dropped in 1990.

The New York Times

Some of them were playing out of position because of lack of numbers.

The Guardian - Sport

Nathaniel believes that without the feeding programme the school would probably have closed due to lack of numbers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack of number", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking in quantity. For example, specify "lack of number of participants" instead of just "lack of number".

Common error

Avoid using "lack of number" when a more specific term would be more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "the project failed due to a lack of number", consider stating "the project failed due to a lack of funding" if funding is the specific issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of number" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It expresses a deficiency or absence of a specific quantity, often in contexts where numerical data or countable items are relevant, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of number" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote a deficiency in quantity. While not as frequent as other similar expressions, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and business. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage based on real-world examples. Remember to be specific about what is lacking when using the phrase and to consider more precise alternatives if a general statement might be misconstrued. Authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient quantity

Replaces the specific term 'number' with a more general term 'quantity'.

inadequate amount

Similar to "insufficient quantity", but uses the term 'amount' instead.

scarcity of numbers

Emphasizes the rarity or limited availability using the word 'scarcity'.

paucity of figures

Uses 'paucity' to denote a small quantity and 'figures' as an alternative to 'numbers'.

limited number

A more direct way of stating that the quantity is restricted.

shortage of counts

Uses 'shortage' to describe a deficiency and 'counts' as a synonym for 'numbers'.

lack of data points

Specifically refers to the absence of data points, which are often numerical.

absence of statistics

Focuses on the lack of statistical data.

incompleteness of enumeration

Highlights that the counting process is not finished or total.

numerical deficiency

A more formal and direct way to express a lack in numerical terms.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of number" to describe a shortage or deficiency in quantity. For instance: "The project was delayed due to a lack of number of qualified applicants."

What's a good alternative to "lack of number"?

Alternatives include "insufficient quantity", "inadequate amount", or "scarcity of numbers" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lack of number"?

Yes, "lack of number" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms its validity based on numerous real-world examples.

What does "lack of number" imply in a scientific context?

In a scientific context, "lack of number" often refers to an insufficient sample size or a deficiency in data points, which can affect the validity and reliability of research findings. For example: "Due to the "lack of number" of cities, the confidence intervals from other clusters display a degree of overlaps."