lack of prospect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of prospect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there are no opportunities or potential for future success or improvement. Example: "The company's lack of prospect for growth has led to concerns among investors about its long-term viability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

His home-road splits were dissected, his lack of big-game experience, his lack of prospect pedigree.

The Guardian - Sport

The lack of prospect for agreement in Moscow in September was reinforced Monday when Rose Gottemoeller, the under secretary of state for arms control, met with Sergei Ryabkov, the Russian deputy foreign minister, in Brussels.

The New York Times

I fall into the conversational mode, matching it to each old child, as if we share a joke (of course we do, the dizzy depths of years), and each grandchild, politely quizzing them on their events and prospects, all the while suppressing, like an acid reflux, the lack of prospect black and bilious for me.

The New Yorker

But then we gradually approach more difficult choices, when our revolt succeeds in its direct goal, we come to realise that what really bothered us (our un-freedom, humiliation, social corruption, lack of prospect of a decent life) goes on in a new guise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When he applies to Delia Bacon's work the kind of close reading that led her to conclude that frustration and lack of prospects forced Francis Bacon to take up his quill, he finds her own frustration and lack of prospects talking.

The New York Times - Books

Suddenly, the nation's eyes were on Neukölln, and its violence, lack of prospects and frustration were revealed to all.

The Guardian - Opinion

More orthodox Republicans, like the House speaker, Paul D. Ryan, are also expressing interest in using government levers to tackle the lack of prospects for so many American workers.

The New York Times

He joined the Army in 1948 as a 19-year-old, motivated in part by the lack of prospects at home but mostly by pride in America.

The New York Times

Where the men of a seaside town, bored and impatient over their lack of prospects with women, decide to place an ad in an American newspaper in hopes of attracting babes from the States.

The New York Times

He has begun scouting potential smugglers to take him to Europe, he said, looking to join the surge of young Afghans who are abandoning their country, frustrated by endless war, a lack of prospects and the slow pace of change.

The New York Times

The story proved untrue, but the reporter made contacts in the Syrian community who later got in touch with the paper to publicise their concerns about their lack of prospects on the island.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack of prospect", ensure the context clearly defines what specific area or aspect lacks potential for future development. For example, clarify whether it pertains to career advancement, economic growth, or personal relationships.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of prospect" in overly general statements without specifying the area of concern. This can make the statement vague and less impactful. Instead, pinpoint the specific domain where the absence of potential is evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of prospect" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the absence of potential or opportunity. Ludwig provides examples showing it used to express concerns about future growth or the reasons behind emigration.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of prospect" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe the absence of potential or future opportunities. As supported by Ludwig, it appears in neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, science, and business domains. While relatively rare, its meaning is clear, conveying concern or disappointment about a bleak outlook. When using the phrase, ensure to clearly specify what area or aspect lacks potential to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no future prospects

Directly negates the idea of any forward-looking chances for success.

lack of future opportunities

Highlights the absence of chances or possibilities that may lead to success in the future.

absence of opportunity

Emphasizes the non-existence of chances or openings.

dim prospects

Highlights a reduced or weakened likelihood of success.

dearth of potential

Highlights a scarcity of inherent capacity for growth or success.

unpromising outlook

Suggests that the situation does not appear likely to improve.

pessimistic outlook

Focuses on a negative view of what the future holds.

bleak future

Stresses a grim or depressing vision of times to come.

limited possibilities

Indicates that there are few options or chances available.

hopeless situation

Conveys a sense of despair and absence of positive change.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of prospect" to describe situations where there are limited or no opportunities for future success or improvement. For example: "The "lack of prospect" for career advancement led him to seek employment elsewhere."

What are some alternatives to "lack of prospect"?

Alternatives include "absence of opportunity", "dearth of potential", or "bleak future", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lack of prospect" or "lack of prospects"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "lack of prospects" is more common when referring to multiple opportunities or possibilities. "Lack of prospect" is suitable when discussing a general absence of a singular potential outcome.

What's the difference between "lack of prospect" and "limited possibilities"?

"Lack of prospect" emphasizes the absence of a promising outlook, while "limited possibilities" suggests that some options exist, but they are few or constrained.