lacking clarity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking clarity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not clear or is difficult to understand, often in contexts such as writing, communication, or explanations. Example: "The report was criticized for lacking clarity, making it hard for the audience to grasp the main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Lacking clarity, cohesion or energy, If has sunk pretty much without trace since its launch three months ago.

The Guardian - Business

Meanwhile, strategies sketched out by shadow minister Emma Reynolds were too reliant on self-build and the performance of small developers, lacking clarity on breaking the cartels and vested interests that hamper private development.

The Guardian

In Australia the registered nurses (RN) experience of being a buddy nurse has been reported as lacking clarity, being unsupported and structureless.

Nurse Education Today

Existing literature on patient complexity has mainly identified its components descriptively and in isolation, lacking clarity as to their combined functions in disrupting care or to how complexity changes over time.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

The U.K.'s forthcoming Investigatory Powers Bill is set to address oversight of surveillance powers — with existing legislation in this area having has been roundly condemned as lacking clarity and transparency.

TechCrunch

An earlier version of the bill was looked at by three government committees, all of which expressed substantial concerns — including the Security and Intelligence Committee slamming the draft bill for lacking clarity and for failing to enshrine privacy protections or provide adequately targeted surveillance measures.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The orchestration sometimes lacks clarity.

The New York Times - Arts

Too many voices lack clarity.

Independent

Communications to the public often lacked clarity.

The New York Times - Health

"The impact assessment lacked clarity.

The Guardian

A few main dishes lacked clarity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacking clarity", ensure the subject you're describing has a reasonable expectation of being clear. Avoid using it for inherently complex or abstract concepts where ambiguity is expected.

Common error

Avoid using "lacking clarity" repeatedly in a single piece of writing to describe numerous issues. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "ambiguous", "vague", or "obscure" to provide a more nuanced critique.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking clarity" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is not easily understood or is ambiguous. As Ludwig confirms, it's usable in English, as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lacking clarity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something that is not clear or easy to understand. It is most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. Ludwig's analysis supports its widespread use, emphasizing its function as an adjective phrase used to critique or evaluate the understandability of a subject. When using "lacking clarity", be mindful of the context and audience, and consider using synonyms to provide a richer and more nuanced critique. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's safe to use across multiple contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devoid of clarity

Emphasizes a complete absence of clarity.

wanting in lucidity

Focuses on the absence of clear and easy understanding.

deficient in precision

Highlights the lack of exactness and accuracy.

short on definition

Focuses on the absence of a clear and distinct explanation.

bereft of explicitness

Emphasizes a lack of direct and unambiguous expression.

wanting definition

Highlights the absence of a clear boundary or outline.

without clear focus

Highlights lack of central point or intent.

ambiguous in nature

Highlights the quality of being open to more than one interpretation.

obscure in presentation

Emphasizes that lack of clarity is due to presentation style.

murky in explanation

Focuses on lack of clarity in the way something is explained.

FAQs

How can I use "lacking clarity" in a sentence?

You can use "lacking clarity" to describe anything that isn't easily understood. For example: "The instructions were "lacking clarity", making the assembly process difficult."

What are some alternatives to "lacking clarity"?

Some alternatives include "ambiguous", "vague", "obscure", or "unclear" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "lacking clarity" or "lacks clarity"?

"Lacking clarity" is used as an adjective phrase, while "lacks clarity" is a verb phrase. For example: "The report was "lacking clarity"" versus "The report "lacks clarity"".

What's the difference between "lacking clarity" and "poor clarity"?

"Lacking clarity" suggests a deficiency or absence of clear understanding. "Poor clarity" implies that some level of clarity exists, but it is inadequate. They are interchangeable in certain contexts, but not all.