lack of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the absence or deficiency of a particular item, quality, or characteristic. Example: "The lack of resources has hindered the project's progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

General Writing

Academic

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

There was never a lack of something.

The New York Times - Arts

A lack of something to say.

The Guardian

Civilisations have fallen for the lack of something like that.

The Guardian

"For lack of something better, we've been calling them restaurant shirts," he said.

The New York Times

What you see around your writing is a void of meaning, a lack of something.

The New York Times

"I'd say my first album reflected a lack of something," Blake tells me.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Last week, he criticized his team for a lack of effort, something he hoped would not be necessary so soon.

The New York Times - Sports

One of the obstacles seen by P2P players up until now has been a lack of awareness, something which remains fairly low in the small business community.

Independent

It is not for lack of trying: something like 65,000 books have been published on the war, more than one a day since it ended.

The New York Times

It's just that there's a distinct lack of pavements, something that even before piloting a wheelchair made me uneasy.

Independent

It is clearly not their fault, but it makes for a decided lack of variety, something that Henin hinted at after her defeat.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack of something", ensure it's followed by a specific noun or noun phrase to clarify what is missing. For instance, "lack of funding" or "lack of experience" provides a clearer understanding than just "lack of something".

Common error

Avoid using "lack of something" when you can be more specific. Instead of saying "the project suffered from a lack of something", identify exactly what was missing, such as "lack of planning" or "lack of skilled personnel".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of something" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It indicates a deficiency or absence. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Huffington Post

25%

The Guardian

15%

Less common in

The New York Times

10%

Wiki

5%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of something" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express a deficiency or absence, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While common across various contexts, including news, general writing and academic settings, it's most effective when followed by a specific noun to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "absence of", "deficiency in", or "shortage of" for nuanced expression. Remember to specify what's lacking, as saying what is missing is generally more informative and impactful than a generic "lack of something" statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of something

Focuses directly on the non-existence of an item or quality, indicating complete unavailability.

deficiency in something

Highlights a shortfall or inadequacy, emphasizing that not enough of something is present.

scarcity of something

Suggests limited availability, implying that something is rare or hard to obtain.

paucity of something

Emphasizes a small or insufficient quantity, indicating a severe lack.

shortage of something

Indicates a temporary or specific deficit, often in supply or resources.

want of something

A more formal or literary way to express a need or absence.

need for something

Shifts the focus to the requirement or necessity of an item or quality that is missing.

dearth of something

Similar to scarcity but often used in a more figurative or emphatic way.

insufficiency of something

Indicates that there is not enough of something to meet a particular need or requirement.

privation of something

Emphasizes the hardship or suffering caused by the lack of essential things.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of something" to indicate the absence or deficiency of a particular item or quality. For example, "The project failed due to a "lack of funding"" or "The team's performance suffered from a "lack of communication"".

What are some alternatives to "lack of something"?

Alternatives include "absence of something", "deficiency in something", or "shortage of something". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, "absence of evidence" might be more appropriate in a scientific context.

Is it better to use "lack of something" or specify the missing element directly?

It's generally better to specify the missing element directly for clarity and impact. For instance, saying "The company needs more investment" is often stronger than saying "The company suffers from a "lack of investment"".

What's the difference between "lack of something" and "failure of something"?

"Lack of something" implies an absence or deficiency, whereas "failure of something" suggests that something was attempted but did not succeed. For example, "lack of resources" indicates that resources were unavailable, while "failure of the experiment" suggests that an experiment was conducted but did not yield the desired results.