lacking in substance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking in substance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something that is significantly short of what is expected or desired in terms of content, weight, or importance. For example: "Although the speech was well-crafted, it was unfortunately lacking in substance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Opinion

Books

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

It was utterly lacking in substance – legal, moral or otherwise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Proudly worn on its sleeve, but somewhat lacking in substance and subservient to self-interest.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are those who see his films as pretentious, as lacking in substance, as self-indulgent.

The Guardian - Film

Many critics scorned it, finding the play lacking in substance and the execution overly slick.

The New York Times

"When all the facts are fully presented, a jury or a court may find it lacking in substance".

The New York Times

It was fashionable during the presidential campaign for some commentators to complain about its being boring and lacking in substance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Full of energy and a natural gregariousness--but completely lacking in substance--Blagojevich won every election he entered.

Huffington Post

What HappyOrNot's gas-station data lacked in substance, though, they made up for in volume.

The New Yorker

What it lacks in substance it makes up for in sublime spectacle.

The New York Times - Arts

Morally, Death Race 2000 had the upper hand, but what this lacks in substance it makes up for in volume, not to mention length, squeezing a 79-minute premise into a two-hour-11-minute movie with patience-testing results.

The Guardian - Film

None of this jells, but, Janet Maslin wrote in The New York Times, "what Mr. Anderson lacks in substance is offset by his great skill with actors, his gift for shaping resonant little individual vignettes and his extraordinary intuition".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lacking in substance" to critique arguments, policies, or creative works that don't provide sufficient detail or reasoning. Be specific about what is missing to strengthen your critique.

Common error

While "lacking in substance" is widely understood, in formal or academic writing, consider more precise synonyms like "superficial", "insufficiently detailed", or "lacking in empirical support" to convey your meaning more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking in substance" functions primarily as a predicative adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a deficiency in content, quality, or importance. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Opinion

20%

Film

10%

Less common in

Books

8%

Science

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lacking in substance" is a versatile expression used to critique the inadequacy or superficiality of something, whether it be an argument, a creative work, or a policy. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. While it appears frequently in news and media, opinion pieces, and film reviews, writers should consider more precise synonyms in formal or academic settings. Alternatives such as "devoid of content", "superficial", and "insubstantial" can provide greater nuance. When using the phrase, be specific about what aspects are missing to enhance the critique's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insubstantial

Direct synonym, stresses a lack of material or importance.

devoid of content

Emphasizes the absence of meaningful content.

without depth

Directly points out the absence of profound or complex elements.

superficial

Highlights a lack of depth and thoroughness.

shallow

Indicates a lack of intellectual or emotional depth.

empty

Conveys a sense of hollowness and absence of meaning.

hollow

Similar to empty, suggests a lack of genuine worth or sincerity.

deficient in quality

Focuses on the poor quality of the subject.

frivolous

Suggests a lack of seriousness or purpose.

tenuous

Implies a weak or shaky foundation.

FAQs

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

You can use "lacking in substance" to describe something that is deficient in content or importance. For example, "The politician's promises were "lacking in substance", offering no concrete plans."

What are some alternatives to "lacking in substance"?

Alternatives include "devoid of content", "superficial", or "insubstantial" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lacking substance" or "lacking in substance"?

"Lacking in substance" is the more common and idiomatic phrasing. While "lacking substance" might be understood, it's less frequently used.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "lacking in substance"?

The phrase is suitable for critiquing arguments, proposals, or artistic works that are perceived as "lacking in substance", depth, or detail. It's commonly used in news, opinion pieces, and reviews.