lacking confidence in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking confidence in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of uncertainty or doubt regarding a person, situation, or ability. Example: "She was lacking confidence in her ability to deliver the presentation effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This left workers feeling "alienated" and lacking confidence in safety procedures.

The Guardian - Tech

I started using podcasting with children who were lacking confidence in their writing.

The Guardian

Two years ago, you would never have accused him of lacking confidence; in 2014, there's defeat in his eyes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So, exhausted, demoralised, lacking confidence in myself and in my abilities, I left London and New Labour for good.

The Guardian

Lacking confidence in anything but a judgmental monotone, this major BBC production didn't reinterpret Dickens, it eviscerated him.

The Guardian - Books

Two years ago, you would never have accused him of lacking confidence; in 2014, there's defeat in his eyes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was rusty and tentative, lacking confidence in his outside shot and his lateral quickness defending on the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

Nobody has any wish to go back to the days when gun murders went largely undetected, with a community too frightened or lacking confidence in the police.

The Guardian - Opinion

The central problem is that, lacking confidence in one another's ability to repay, banks have slowed their lending to each other via the money markets.

The New York Times

Lacking confidence in the ability to seal an aircraft hermetically, American aviation pioneer Wiley Post and others concentrated on individual pressure suits.

Britannica

Shanahan's response left lawmakers in both parties even more worried about the United States Syriaa policy and lacking confidence in the team leading it.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacking confidence in", ensure the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify who is lacking confidence and in what.

Common error

Avoid using "lacking confidence in" with vague pronouns like 'it' or 'this' without clear reference. Always specify what or who the lack of confidence pertains to for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking confidence in" functions as a participial phrase acting as an adjective. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, describing a state of doubt or disbelief regarding someone or something. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lacking confidence in" is a common and grammatically correct participial phrase used to express a deficit of trust or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, especially in news, science, and business. While suitable for various registers, it's important to maintain clarity by specifying the subject and object of the lack of confidence. Consider alternatives like "unsure about" or "doubtful about" depending on the specific nuance required. Overall, it’s a versatile phrase for conveying skepticism or uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsure about

Directly conveys a feeling of uncertainty, lacking specific detail about the source of the doubt.

being uncertain of

Emphasizes the absence of certainty, suggesting a lack of clear knowledge or expectation.

having no faith in

Focuses on the absence of belief or trust, often in a more general sense than a specific skill or attribute.

feeling doubtful about

Highlights the presence of doubt, emphasizing the emotional aspect of uncertainty.

having reservations about

Indicates a more formal or considered doubt, implying a reasoned hesitation.

skeptical of

Suggests a tendency to disbelieve or doubt claims or statements.

not trusting

Implies a lack of reliance or faith, suggesting potential suspicion or wariness.

not convinced by

Indicates that something has failed to persuade or satisfy one's belief.

questioning the reliability of

Specifically targets the trustworthiness or dependability of something.

apprehensive about

Highlights a sense of anxiety or unease regarding a future event or situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "lacking confidence in" to describe a person or entity that doesn't trust or believe in something. For instance: "The team was "lacking confidence in" their strategy".

What are some alternatives to "lacking confidence in"?

Alternatives include "unsure about", "doubtful about", or "skeptical of". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lacking confidence in" or "not having confidence in"?

"Lacking confidence in" and "not having confidence in" are both grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. However, "lacking confidence in" often sounds more concise and professional, particularly in formal writing.

What's the difference between "lacking confidence in" and "low confidence in"?

"Lacking confidence in" suggests a complete absence of trust or belief, while "low confidence in" implies a reduced but not necessarily absent level of trust. The phrase "low confidence in" signifies a weaker belief than the phrase "lacking confidence in".