lacking material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is missing necessary components or content, often in a context related to resources or information. Example: "The report was deemed incomplete, as it was lacking material that supported the main arguments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As the critic Anne Midgette recently observed on her blog, it's not as if we're lacking material from the canonical masters.

The New Yorker

That recruits could be persuaded that the terrorist attacks were acts worthy of going to paradise suggests the depth not only of the misunderstanding of Islam, but also of the desire among those lacking material resources for even a taste of paradise, the imam said.

The New York Times

The poor in our days may be lacking material things.

WikiHow

In addition, this region was investigated in five samples lacking material for aCGH.

British Journal of Cancer

Nine of the tumours analysed with 32k aCGH and an additional five chordomas lacking material for aCGH (cases 12 16) were analysed with FISH (Table 1) as described (Dahlén et al, 2003).

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Furtado doesn't lack gumption, but she seriously lacks material.

The Guardian

A novelist never lacks material - only the capacity and energy to handle it.

The Guardian - Books

Perhaps I lacked material from which to grow personalities and psychologies.

The Guardian - Books

For all of their moral force, the deputies utterly lacked material force to counter the king's obvious intentions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although I lacked material wealth, I had an abundance of riches in terms of family, love, and encouragement.

Science Magazine

It's not that they lacked material -- it's that they lacked imagination.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacking material", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific material is absent to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "lacking material" excessively in formal or academic writing. More precise terms like "deficient in data" or "without sufficient evidence" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking material" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a deficiency or absence of necessary components. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability across diverse contexts, exemplified by instances ranging from scientific analyses to creative works.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

24%

Science

32%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

16%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lacking material" is used to describe the absence or deficiency of necessary components or resources. As validated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and usable across various contexts, including scientific research, news reporting, and general discussions. While its frequency is relatively rare, understanding its nuances is crucial for effective communication. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies what specific material is absent to avoid ambiguity. While versatile, more formal alternatives like "deficient in resources" may be preferable in academic or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deficient in content

Focuses on the absence of substance or information.

devoid of resources

Emphasizes the absence of available assets.

short on supplies

Highlights a shortage of necessary provisions.

bereft of substance

Indicates an absence of meaningful content.

wanting in resources

Highlights a deficiency in available assets or materials.

without adequate resources

Emphasizes the inadequacy of available resources.

low on provisions

Focuses on a scarcity of necessary supplies.

inadequate materials

Highlights the insufficiency of available materials.

scarce in resources

Indicates a rarity or limited availability of resources.

deprived of content

Focuses on the state of being without content.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "lacking material" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "deficient in resources", "devoid of substance", or "inadequate materials" to maintain a professional tone.

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

It means that something is missing necessary components, content, or resources. The exact meaning depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "lacking in material" instead of "lacking material"?

While "lacking material" is grammatically correct, "lacking in material" can also be used, though it is slightly less common. Both phrases convey a similar meaning.

What are some common contexts where you might encounter the phrase "lacking material"?

You might find the phrase used when discussing financial resources, scientific data, or creative content. For example, a project might be described as "lacking sufficient funds" or a report "lacking supporting evidence".