lacked both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacked both" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the absence of two specific qualities, items, or attributes in a subject. Example: "The project lacked both the necessary funding and support from the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I lacked both genius and talent.

The New Yorker

The place lacked both a dishwasher and a bathtub.

The New York Times

Compared to all the teams left in Euro 2008, the English lacked both cohesion and elegance.

The Guardian - Sport

Walking along the street became onerous: I lacked both strength and energy.

The Guardian - Opinion

So, too, a Caesar salad that lacked both zing and zang.

The New York Times - Food

Bard has lacked both a large body of wealthy alumni and a developed infrastructure for soliciting their donations.

The New Yorker

Simone Alberghini's Adelson occasionally lacked both patrician authority and ideally focused coloratura, though the rest of the cast were excellent.

The Guardian - Music

While Verne's influence is evident in them, dime novels lacked both Verne's knowledge of technology and his literary skill.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Congress lacked both an independent source of revenue and the executive machinery to enforce its will directly upon individuals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Gregory VII has often been portrayed as an innovator who lacked both authentic predecessors and authentic successors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We lacked both water and gas, and our only illumination that night came from candles and the moon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacked both", ensure that the two items or qualities being negated are clearly specified and logically connected to the subject. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "lacked both" when the items being referred to are not clearly defined or are too abstract. Always ensure that the nouns following "both" are specific and easily understood in the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacked both" functions as a verb phrase that expresses the absence of two specific attributes or items. Ludwig shows that it commonly connects a subject with the qualities it is deficient in. The phrase sets up an expectation that two specific things are missing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lacked both" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to denote the absence of two specific attributes or items. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it's most prevalent in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal tone. The phrase serves the purpose of clearly stating deficiencies and is supported by numerous authoritative sources. While alternatives like "was missing both" and "did not have either" exist, "lacked both" remains a concise and effective choice. Remember to use it with clear and specific referents to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Was missing both

Emphasizes absence, interchangeable with "lacked both".

Did not have either

Focuses on not possessing each element individually, slightly more emphatic.

Had neither

A more concise and formal way of expressing the same idea.

Deficient in both

More formal and emphasizes a deficiency or shortcoming.

Devoid of both

Stronger emphasis on emptiness or absence.

Without both

Simple alternative, interchangeable in many contexts.

Was short of both

Implies a deficit or insufficient amount.

Failed to have both

Emphasizes failure to possess, adds a sense of action or process.

Excluded both

Focuses on exclusion and omission of elements.

Did without both

Indicates managing in the absence of both elements.

FAQs

How do I use "lacked both" in a sentence?

You can use "lacked both" to indicate the absence of two specific qualities or items. For example, "The presentation "lacked both clarity and conciseness"".

What can I say instead of "lacked both"?

You can use alternatives like "was missing both", "did not have either", or "had neither" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "lacked both" or should I use another phrase?

It is perfectly correct to use "lacked both". However, you might consider using alternatives like "was missing both" or "did not have either" for variety.

What's the difference between "lacked both" and "didn't have either"?

"Lacked both" and "didn't have either" are very similar in meaning. "Lacked both" is slightly more formal, while "didn't have either" is more conversational. Both indicate the absence of two specified items or qualities.