lacked

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'lacked' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb which means to not have something necessary, be without something needed, or to be deficient. For example, "She lacked the experience needed to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

George Cukor, the second of four directors on the picture, got rid of the blonde wig and doll's makeup that Garland had been given, presumably to imitate Temple, and stressed the character's naturalness, a quality the younger star often lacked.

The Guardian - Film

Both seemed over rehearsed and Cameron in particular lacked passion.

The Guardian

Despite the impressive finishing, the game lacked finesse for long spells and McCormack almost capitalised on slack Wigan defending for a second time after latching on to a cross-field pass from Michael Turner, only for the striker to be halted by a desperate last-ditch slide from Emmerson Boyce.

The Guardian - Sport

Gavin began to find his range in the following round but his punches lacked punch and Brook finished the job off in the sixth, rocking the challenger with two thudding shots before pinning him against the ropes with a barrage of shots.

The Guardian - Sport

Joachim Löw's team may have lacked the star names of their South American rivals, but they were always the more dangerous side here, with the scoreline, even at 4-0, anything but flattering.

The Guardian - Sport

By not being appropriately represented on the plan, the city's urban poor lacked the opportunity to empower themselves.

The Guardian

I lacked the tools I needed to communicate and behave in loving, respectful ways; to do poly right.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This narrative had become so entrenched, so appealing even to those who did not consider themselves nationalists, that not long after a Labour government dominated by two Scottish MPs, Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling, the SNP was able to argue that not only was Labour anti-Scottish but that Scotland lacked clout at Westminster.

The Guardian

They "lacked practical independence" because in many cases, the police were essentially tasked with investigating themselves, it said.

The Guardian

Our complaint against the Blair and Brown governments is that in both areas they lacked discrimination.

The Guardian - Opinion

He has never lacked confidence; once being disciplined for telling rival youth players as he left the field after being substituted: "Pass by the dressing room afterwards and I'll give you an autograph".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lacked" to clearly state the absence of a necessary attribute, quality, or resource. For instance, "The project lacked funding" indicates a specific deficiency.

Common error

Do not use "lacked" in constructions where the absence is already implied. For example, instead of saying "They lacked no confidence", simply state "They were confident".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lacked" is that of a verb in the past tense, indicating the absence or deficiency of something at a particular time. Ludwig AI confirms this by providing example sentences where "lacked" describes a past state of not having something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

20%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lacked" is a verb used to indicate the absence or deficiency of something, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, particularly in news, sports, and opinion pieces. It maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. When employing "lacked", ensure it clearly conveys the missing element and avoid redundant phrasing. Related phrases include "was missing" and "was deficient in". Always verify that you are using "lacked" without the unnecessary addition of "of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was missing

Implies something essential was absent.

was deficient in

Indicates a specific area of inadequacy.

did not possess

Formal way of saying someone did not have something.

was without

Highlights the absence of something.

fell short of

Implies a failure to reach a certain standard.

was wanting in

A more formal or literary way of saying something was missing.

couldn't boast

Suggests an inability to claim possession of something.

failed to include

Indicates an omission or exclusion of something.

was deprived of

Emphasizes the act of being denied something.

was bereft of

A more evocative and formal way of saying something was missing.

FAQs

How can I use "lacked" in a sentence?

You can use "lacked" to indicate the absence of something. For example, "The team "lacked" experience", meaning the team did not have experience.

What can I say instead of "lacked"?

You can use alternatives such as "was missing", "was deficient in", or "did not possess" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "lacked of" or "lacked"?

"Lacked" is the correct form. The preposition "of" is not needed after "lacked". For example, "The plan "lacked" detail" is correct.

What's the difference between "lacked" and "missed"?

"Lacked" implies a deficiency or absence of something necessary, while "missed" implies a feeling of regret over the absence of something or someone. For example, "The performance "lacked" energy", versus "I "missed" the opportunity".