lacking in order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking in order" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is disorganized or not arranged properly. Example: "The documents were lacking in order, making it difficult to find the information we needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

There has been a lot of discussion about the resources that are lacking in order to make this league work as we had hoped.

The New York Times

Thanks to the training they have received, however, the prisoners will possess the knowledge that so many others are lacking in order to make the most of their land once they have returned home.

The Guardian

Competence, tools, and methods are lacking in order to integrate patient experiences and involve patients in direct service improvement at an individual and organizational level.

BMC Health Services Research

Studies on family prevalence and potential associations with pathophysiological abnormalities are also lacking in order to further estimate the validity of BDS as a diagnostic concept.

BMC Family Practice

38 However, this does highlight the importance of authors providing full tables of numerical data relating to the study, which in this case were often lacking, in order to allow for more sophisticated meta-analytical techniques.

Family Practice

22 Owing to the vulnerability of people with aphasia to poor long-term psychosocial outcomes, 10 13 it is critical to have validated BPS available for clinicians that incorporate research evidence and expert opinion where this research is lacking in order to provide a foundation for quality and consistent care provision.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This technology goes a long way to address one of developers' top complaints about what the mobile web lacks in order to better compete with mobile apps.

TechCrunch

But, insofar as the irrationality in violating the axioms stems from the fact that it is supposed to be a form of inconsistency, as both Hitchcock and Christensen maintain, then the fact that a bookie might need (logical) knowledge that the agent lacks in order to set up the book, is irrelevant to whether the book has force.

SEP

One person can't do everything and founders need to have people who have the skills and expertise that they lack in order to move forward.

Huffington Post

Calves raised for the purpose of veal production are fed a synthetic formula lacking in iron in order to make the calf anemic and keep its flesh pale.

Huffington Post

Their life of rigorous discipline and their obedience to Church teaching, lacking in the orders that belong to the LCWR, are key to their flourishing.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacking in order", ensure the context clearly indicates what should be ordered or organized. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "lacking in order" when a simpler adjective like "disorganized" or "unstructured" would suffice. The phrase is more impactful in situations where a specific ordering or arrangement is expected but absent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking in order" functions as a descriptive modifier, typically used to characterize a noun or situation as being disorganized or without a proper arrangement. Ludwig examples show this phrase appearing across various contexts, further supporting its descriptive function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

17%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lacking in order" serves to describe the absence of proper arrangement or organization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase, though it might sound slightly more formal. Its usage spans across scientific, news, and general contexts, but simpler alternatives like "disorganized" may be more appropriate in certain informal settings. When using "lacking in order", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific order or structure is missing to avoid ambiguity and enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devoid of order

Replaces "lacking" with "devoid", emphasizing a complete absence of order.

without order

Uses a simpler preposition to indicate the absence of order.

deficient in organization

Substitutes "order" with "organization", highlighting a lack of structured arrangement.

disorganized

Provides a concise adjective to describe something that is not in order.

in a state of disarray

Indicates a condition of disorder or confusion.

chaotic

Highlights a state of complete disorder and confusion.

unstructured

Emphasizes the absence of a defined structure.

haphazard

Suggests a lack of planning or organization.

random

Implies a lack of pattern or predictability.

out of sequence

Focuses on a disruption in the correct order of elements.

FAQs

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

You can use "lacking in order" to describe something that is disorganized or not properly arranged. For example: "The files were "lacking in order", making it difficult to find the necessary documents."

What are some alternatives to "lacking in order"?

Alternatives include "disorganized", "unstructured", or "chaotic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "lacking in order" instead of "disorganized"?

"Lacking in order" is particularly appropriate when emphasizing the absence of a specific, expected arrangement or sequence. "Disorganized" is more general and can apply to situations where there's no particular expected order.

Is "lacking in order" a formal or informal phrase?

"Lacking in order" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it may sound slightly more formal than a simpler word like "disorganized". The best choice depends on the overall tone and audience of your writing.