lacking capability for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking capability for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deficiency in skills, resources, or abilities related to a specific task or function. Example: "The team is currently lacking capability for advanced data analysis, which is hindering our project progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was intended for different applications, lacking capability for use with long-distance radio transmissions, and in any case, Delilah was completed too late to be used during the war.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was cumbersome to use, lacking capability.

BBC

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has the authority but lacks capability.

The Washington Post

While there are commercial instruments available for on-line monitoring with HPLC, they lack capabilities in many key areas.

Analytica Chimica Acta

Lacking the capability for such a test, we assume that the assumption holds for extreme events where the anthropogenic contribution is mainly through thermodynamics, of which large-scale heatwaves are good examples.

Nature

Agents of governments, employers, families, professionals, and institutions often apply the harm principle to justify paternalism on the ground that an individual, or a class of individuals, lacks the capability for effective self-management in some essential aspect of life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As with most of today's cars, these vehicles lack the capability for OTA updates of automotive control devices.

Forbes

This property is absent in other materials used in nanotechnology, including proteins, for which protein design is very difficult, and nanoparticles, which lack the capability for specific assembly on their own.

Wikipedia

Besides, negative control experiments were performed using Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120 cells (an organism known to lack the capability for glucose uptake [24]), where the obtained values were very close to those corresponding to boiled Prochlorococcus cells (not shown).

Plosone

Decision makers thought that they lack the capability for decisions due to their slight OH knowledge and minor visible role of OH in municipal policymaking processes.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Prime examples are some of the petite mutants of yeast, which lack the capability for respiration due to large deletions in the mitochondrial genome.

BioEssays

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacking capability for", clearly specify what the subject lacks the ability to do. This provides clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "lacking capability for" without specifying the particular area of deficiency. For example, instead of saying "The system is lacking capability for improvements", specify the specific improvements that the system is unable to achieve.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking capability for" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, followed by a preposition. It describes a deficiency or absence of a specific ability or skill necessary for a particular purpose or action. Ludwig's examples show it defining what is missing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lacking capability for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe a deficiency in skills, resources, or abilities. As shown by Ludwig, it's often found in scientific, news, and business contexts, indicating a professional or technical register. To avoid vagueness, be sure to clearly state what specific ability is lacking. Alternatives like "unable to perform" and "incapable of executing" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to perform

Focuses on the inability to execute a specific action.

incapable of executing

Emphasizes a fundamental inability to carry out a task.

without the ability to

Highlights the absence of the necessary skill or power.

deficient in the capacity for

Emphasizes a shortfall in inherent potential.

not equipped to

Highlights a lack of necessary tools or resources.

unfit for the purpose of

Indicates unsuitability for a given function.

ill-equipped to handle

Stresses inadequate preparation for a situation.

not having the wherewithal for

Focuses on lacking the necessary means or resources.

missing the aptitude for

Highlights a lack of natural talent or skill.

wanting in the talent for

Similar to lacking aptitude, but with a slightly more formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "lacking capability for" in a sentence?

Use "lacking capability for" to describe a person, system, or organization that does not have the ability to perform a specific action or function. For instance, "The old software is "lacking capability for" processing large datasets".

What are some alternatives to "lacking capability for"?

You can use phrases like "unable to perform", "incapable of executing", or "without the ability to" as alternatives to "lacking capability for", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "lacking capability for" or "unable to"?

"Lacking capability for" is generally considered more formal than "unable to". The former is often used in technical or professional contexts, while the latter is more common in everyday language.

Can "lacking capability for" be used to describe both physical and mental abilities?

Yes, "lacking capability for" can describe both physical and mental abilities. For example, you could say someone is ""lacking capability for" heavy lifting" (physical) or "lacking capability for abstract thought" (mental).