lacking a clear meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking a clear meaning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is ambiguous or not easily understood. Example: "The instructions were confusing, leaving many participants feeling as though they were lacking a clear meaning."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It appears that many laws, e.g., of the special sciences, if taken as strict laws, turn out to be false; however, if they are hedged by a cp-clause they appear to lack a clear meaning and appear to be empirically untestable.

SEP

Lacking a clear identification of the enemy compounds the problem.

The New York Times

Detectives were also lacking a clear motive.

Huffington Post

All three stories share a clear meaning.

The New York Times - Books

Compared with sequence similarities, this method gave discriminating features a clear meaning.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

DGEN removals upon DF events have a clear meaning.

F1000Research

Only then has the conclusion "non-significant" a clear meaning.

Biology Direct

These parameters have a clear meaning in terms of the progress of the absorption process.

Bulletin of Mathematical Biology

For all of these reasons, assent is not given a clear meaning in the guidance.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Make each post well thought and have a clear meaning.

WikiHow

The song lacks a clear, definitive beat.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacking a clear meaning", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being described as unclear. Provide additional information to mitigate potential confusion for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "lacking a clear meaning" without specifying what the subject lacks clarity in. The phrase itself needs a specific reference to maintain its effectiveness and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking a clear meaning" functions primarily as a descriptive modifier. It indicates that a subject does not possess an easily understandable or definite significance. Ludwig confirms this phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lacking a clear meaning" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is ambiguous or difficult to understand. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context provides sufficient detail to clarify what exactly lacks clarity. Consider alternatives such as "devoid of clarity" or "ambiguous in meaning" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devoid of clarity

Focuses on the absence of clarity as the primary issue.

ambiguous in meaning

Highlights the ambiguity inherent in the phrase.

unclear in significance

Emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding its importance or relevance.

wanting in explicitness

Stresses the lack of detailed and direct expression.

lacking definition

Focuses on the absence of a precise boundary or scope.

obscure in its import

Highlights the difficulty in understanding its underlying significance.

without a discernible meaning

Emphasizes the absence of any recognizable or understandable meaning.

not easily understood

Focuses on the difficulty in comprehending the phrase.

deficient in lucidity

Highlights the absence of clear and easy understanding.

indistinct in its message

Emphasizes that message is not clear and precise.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "lacking a clear meaning" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "devoid of clarity", "ambiguous in meaning", or "unclear in significance" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lacking a clear meaning"?

Yes, "lacking a clear meaning" is grammatically correct and understandable in English. Ludwig confirms its usability.

What does it mean when something is "lacking a clear meaning"?

It means that the subject is ambiguous, vague, or difficult to understand. It doesn't convey a precise or easily interpretable message.

In what contexts is the phrase "lacking a clear meaning" commonly used?

The phrase is often used in academic, scientific, and news contexts to describe concepts, statements, or findings that are not easily understood or interpreted. For example, it can be used to describe a scientific theory, a legal argument or any kind of message.