lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

"lacking" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is typically used to describe something which is deficient in an area, or missing something. For example: 'The project was lacking the enthusiasm needed for success'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A healthy "attention span" becomes just another ineffable quality to remember having, to believe you've lost, to worry about your kids lacking, to blame the culture for destroying.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Brand leadership is sorely lacking," said Conrad McKerron, a senior vice president of As You Sow and a report author, at a news conference releasing the report Thursday.

The Guardian

But he said crucial experimental data in the area was lacking.

The Guardian

The toilets are routinely broken or lacking in number, and the conditions in one dormitory were so bad that Amnesty International "considers the accommodation of asylum seekers there a violation of the prohibition on torture and other ill-treatment".

The Guardian - Opinion

But respite care is lacking at the moment.

The Guardian

Stir in the kecap manis and lime juice, add a little water or coconut milk if it's too thick, then taste to check the balance of flavours; add more lime juice, sugar or soy sauce if you think it's lacking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The politicians who are determining what we do, their knowledge is lacking".

The Guardian - Arts

His view is that no link exists, that movie violence is a fantasy lacking any effect on real-world behaviour – unlike, say, the banned TV adverts for cigarettes that were also a kind of fantasy on their maker's part, though one the consumer could easily satisfy at any tobacconist's.

The Guardian - Opinion

In many cases, as with baseball's American League, football's All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and hockey's Western Hockey League (WHL) and World Hockey Association WHAA), the impetus for forming a second major league was to bring the sport into regions lacking professional options.

The Guardian - Sport

With the company dominated by foreign talent, Brind believes that a whole generation of young British dancers are lacking the inspiration of a homegrown star such as Darcey Bussell.

The Guardian

Mansell was courted back, apparently, for £7m by sponsors desperate to give the sport the sense of character and oomph suddenly perceived to be lacking.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacking", ensure clarity by specifying what is missing or deficient. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple clauses with "lacking". This can make your writing convoluted. Break down the sentence into simpler parts for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lacking" is that of an adjective, describing a noun by indicating that it is deficient or without something. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function in various contexts, confirming its active usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lacking" functions primarily as an adjective used to denote a deficiency or absence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage across various contexts. The word commonly appears in news and media, maintaining a neutral register. To enhance clarity, writers should specify what exactly is "lacking" and avoid overusing the term in overly complex sentence structures. Related phrases include "deficient in", "without", and "devoid of", each offering subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deficient in

Focuses on the inadequacy or shortage of something.

without

Emphasizes the complete absence of something.

devoid of

Highlights the emptiness or absence of a particular quality.

wanting in

Suggests a deficiency or inadequacy in a specific aspect.

inadequate

Indicates that something is not sufficient or good enough.

missing

States that something is not present or available.

short on

Implies a limited quantity or supply of something.

bereft of

Emphasizes a sense of loss or deprivation.

insufficient

Highlights the inadequacy of something for a particular purpose.

scarce in

Indicates that something is rare or not readily available.

FAQs

How to use "lacking" in a sentence?

"Lacking" is used to describe something that is missing or deficient in a particular quality or aspect. For instance, "The report was "lacking" in detail."

What can I say instead of "lacking"?

You can use alternatives such as "deficient in", "without", or "devoid of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "lacking" or "missing"?

Both "lacking" and "missing" can be correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Lacking" implies a deficiency, while "missing" simply means not present. For example, "The essay was "lacking" originality" versus "The file is "missing" from the folder."

What's the difference between "lacking" and "wanting"?

"Lacking" indicates a deficiency, while "wanting" suggests a need or desire for something. "The performance was "lacking" energy" (deficient) versus "He was "wanting" to improve his skills" (desiring).