lacking knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who does not have sufficient information or understanding about a particular subject. Example: "The student was lacking knowledge in advanced mathematics, which affected his performance on the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

AMERICANS are often ridiculed for lacking knowledge of world news.

The New York Times

Writers are accused of being "biased" against a genre, or being too subjective, or lacking knowledge.

The Guardian - Tech

Lacking knowledge leaves you in uncharted waters where your inclination is to be slow and careful.

Harvard Business Review

"There's a misconception that when people don't comply with public health messages, it's because they're ignorant or lacking knowledge".

The Guardian

It's an absolute need as all Australians are lacking knowledge about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, me included.

The Guardian - Opinion

Isolated, lacking knowledge of English or the law and sometimes trafficked by criminal gangs, the new arrivals are especially vulnerable.

The Economist

She opposes abortion rights, questions Darwin and the human connection to global warming, and brims with self-confidence despite lacking knowledge or experience.

The Guardian - Opinion

Furthermore, the overall level of annuity literacy is rather low, with most respondents lacking knowledge of an annuity's core mechanics.

Journal of Economic Psychology

Human resources was completely ineffectual, lacking knowledge and training in conflict resolution, contractual negotiation and my legal entitlement to a safe workplace.

The Guardian

Indeed, most of the Senate bill has been written behind closed doors, as I've written, with even key Republican senators lacking knowledge about what's in various drafts.

The Washington Post

By accusing Muslims of lacking knowledge of Germany's "Christian origins," the minister has chosen to disregard his own country's basic laws of religious freedom.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacking knowledge", specify the area or subject in which knowledge is deficient to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "lacking knowledge" without specifying the domain of knowledge. For instance, instead of saying "He is lacking knowledge", specify "He is lacking knowledge of financial markets" to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking knowledge" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a deficiency in understanding or information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lacking knowledge" is a grammatically correct and frequently used way to describe a deficiency in understanding or information. Ludwig AI indicates that its application spans across varied contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While it's a neutral expression, it’s vital to specify the area of knowledge to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "uninformed" or "deficient in understanding" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uninformed

Focuses on the state of not being informed, a more direct synonym.

unaware

Highlights a lack of consciousness or recognition of something.

ignorant

Implies a more active state of not knowing, sometimes with a negative connotation.

deficient in understanding

Emphasizes the absence of comprehension.

without the requisite expertise

Highlights the absence of specific knowledge needed for a particular task.

wanting in understanding

A more formal way of expressing a lack of comprehension.

short on insight

Focuses on the absence of deeper understanding or intuition.

bereft of information

Stresses the absence of factual data.

nescient

A formal and somewhat archaic term for not knowing.

in the dark about

Idiomatic expression indicating a lack of awareness.

FAQs

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

You can use "lacking knowledge" to describe a deficiency in understanding or information about a particular subject. For example, "Due to "lacking knowledge" about the local laws, they hired a consultant".

What is a more formal alternative to "lacking knowledge"?

A more formal alternative is "deficient in understanding". For example, "The report indicated the team was "deficient in understanding" key economic indicators".

What's the difference between "lacking knowledge" and "ignorance"?

"Lacking knowledge" simply indicates a deficiency in information. "Ignorance" can imply a willful disregard for available information or a more active state of not knowing. Often you can replace "lacking knowledge" with "uninformed".

What can I say instead of "lacking knowledge" to sound less negative?

You could use phrases like "still learning about", "in the process of understanding", or "becoming familiar with". Another option is "unaware".