lacking for

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "lacking for" is not commonly used in written English. You could use the phrase "lacking in" instead. For example, "Her knowledge was lacking in many areas."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Support is lacking for two main reasons.

The New York Times

Beethoven is hardly lacking for attention.

The New York Times - Arts

We're just lacking for wins".

The New York Times

But right now, we're not lacking for potential employees".

The New York Times

So I am never lacking for harbingers of spring.

The New York Times

That protection has been lacking for some time.

The Guardian

"This is what has been lacking for 10 years.

The New York Times - Tech

That has been so lacking for so long.

The New York Times

With the school behind the temple lacking for teachers, she has been roped into religious instruction.

The New York Times

This is where our economy has been lacking for the last seven or eight years.

The New York Times

What is lacking for this not-for-profit theater company is a theater of its own.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating a lack or deficiency, prefer using "lacking in" or "deficient in" instead of "lacking for" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "for" after "lacking"; the correct preposition is typically "in". Saying "lacking for" is a common mistake that can detract from your writing's clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking for" functions as a prepositional phrase typically used to indicate a deficiency or absence of something. Despite its frequent occurrence, as indicated by Ludwig, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "lacking for" appears with notable frequency across various sources, including news, science, and business, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the preferred alternative is "lacking in". When writing, it's best practice to avoid "lacking for" and instead use grammatically sound alternatives like "deficient in", "inadequate for", or "bereft of" to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing. Although frequently present, using grammatically incorrect structures may affect the message that you intend to send and give rise to misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking in

A more grammatically correct and widely accepted alternative to "lacking for".

deficient in

Replaces "lacking for" with a more grammatically sound phrase expressing a deficiency.

inadequate for

Indicates that something does not meet the required standard or need.

insufficient for

Indicates that something is not enough to meet a specific need.

bereft of

Emphasizes a complete absence of something.

devoid of

Similar to "bereft of", indicating a complete absence.

short on

Suggests a shortage or insufficient amount of something.

wanting in

A formal way to express that something is lacking.

without enough

Highlights the insufficient quantity or quality of something.

missing

Simply states that something is absent.

FAQs

Is "lacking for" grammatically correct?

No, "lacking for" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct and more accepted form is /s/lacking+in.

What preposition should I use after "lacking"?

The preposition "in" is generally preferred after "lacking". For example, "The project is /s/lacking+in resources" is correct.

Can I use "lacking of" instead of "lacking in"?

While "lacking of" is sometimes used, it is less common and can sound awkward. Sticking with /s/lacking+in is generally the best choice.

What are some alternatives to "lacking in"?

You can use alternatives like /s/deficient+in, /s/inadequate+for, or /s/bereft+of depending on the context.