lacking in depth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking in depth" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation or thing that is lacking in detail, complexity, or serious consideration of the subject matter. For example, "John's report on the new project was sorely lacking in depth, making it difficult for the team to make informed decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The limitations are that Creed's kind of art is perceived to be lacking in depth.

The Guardian - Arts

I just find it a bit lacking in depth of flavour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A mulligatawny soup, unlike me, was, unlike me, thin, insubstantial and lacking in depth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Mets seem perilously lacking in depth, a problem that doomed them last season.

The New York Times

Each article contained some new tragedy, but to Komura those tragedies registered as oddly lacking in depth.

The New Yorker

These items were more complete and arresting, confirming my impression that the permanent collection was lacking in depth and quality.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Although oxygen limitation is usually used for industrial production of glucoamylase, the genome-wide expression response and regulation mechanisms of A. niger under oxygen-limited conditions are still lacking in-depth study (Lu et al. 2015).

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

Most of them focus on quantitative surveys lacking in-depth exploratory assessments [ 10, 13, 16, 18, 19] and address primarily medical students [ 13, 14, 19, 20].

Human Resources for Health

However, with or without training, the application of guidelines by physicians remains a complex process, lacking in-depth knowledge about which factors are decisive in that process [ 13].

BMC Public Health

Because of their shorter tenure, they also lack in-depth knowledge that others in the organization possess.

Harvard Business Review

But live streams are currently hard to find and lack in-depth information about the events being documented.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing an analysis or piece of work, use "lacking in depth" to specifically target the level of detail and exploration, rather than general quality.

Common error

While versatile, "lacking in depth" can occasionally sound informal in very formal academic papers. Consider more sophisticated synonyms like "superficial", or "deficient in detailed analysis", especially when addressing experts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking in depth" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a deficiency in thoroughness or detail. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe something that fails to explore a topic completely. It commonly follows a linking verb such as "is", "seems", or "appears".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lacking in depth" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express that something is superficial or not thoroughly explored. Ludwig AI analysis highlights its versatility across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While it maintains a neutral register, it's wise to consider more formal synonyms like "deficient in detail" in highly academic settings. When employing this phrase, remember to clearly articulate what specific aspects are "lacking in depth" to enhance the clarity of your critique.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deficient in detail

Directly points out the absence of specific information.

shallow

Suggests a lack of intellectual or emotional profundity.

superficial

Implies a lack of thoroughness and a focus on the surface level.

lacking substance

Highlights the absence of meaningful content.

wanting in thoroughness

Emphasizes the absence of a comprehensive approach.

incomplete

Indicates something is missing essential elements.

cursory

Indicates a hasty and not detailed examination.

simplistic

Suggests an oversimplified and therefore inadequate approach.

insubstantial

Highlights a lack of solidity or importance.

sketchy

Suggests something is not fully developed or reliable.

FAQs

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

You can use "lacking in depth" to describe something that doesn't explore a topic thoroughly. For example, "The report was "lacking in depth" and didn't provide enough information to make a decision."

What are some alternatives to "lacking in depth"?

Alternatives include "superficial", "shallow", or "deficient in detail", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "lacks depth" instead of "lacking in depth"?

Yes, "lacks depth" is a grammatically correct and more concise alternative. Both phrases are acceptable, but "lacks depth" might be preferable in situations where brevity is valued.

What does it mean when something is described as "lacking in depth"?

It means that the subject matter is treated without sufficient detail, analysis, or exploration. It implies a superficial understanding or a failure to delve into the complexities of the issue.