lacking of tongue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking of tongue" is not correct in English.
The correct expression would be "lacking a tongue" or "lacking the ability to speak." Example: "After the accident, he was left lacking a tongue, which made communication very difficult for him."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"They are lacking of tongue, for they never speak to us, lacking the fine lines and good designs and functional qualities," he wrote.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

DJs are going to tell the world that it's totally cool to talk around showing off your Proximal Phalange 1. Be proud of your pubis, they'll say, even though their lack of tongue, lips, lungs and assorted other bits of viscera make talking a technical impossibility.

Vice

The major problems in the animation of our model are the missing features, in particular the lack of any tongue model.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

They start their education at a disadvantage because of the lack of mother-tongue education.

The Guardian

While not without humor, "The Heir Apparent" lacks the tongue-in-cheek wit of a Bond movie.

The New York Times

The causes which led to the separation of the colonies from the British crown have never lacked for a tongue.

Huffington Post

During times of sudden climate change, when food became scarcer or less nutritious, other species may have lacked suitable tongues or trunks to eat enough food to survive.

BBC

Curative treatment for base-of-tongue squamous cell carcinoma (BOT SCC) has evolved over time; however, comparative outcomes analysis for various treatment strategies is lacking.

Cancer Medicine

Regardless, as there is a lack of breakthroughs in cancer screening, analysis of tongue coating microbiota could be an innovative source for gastric cancer screening and diagnosis.

BioMed Research International

Top-of-mind means tip-of-tongue.

TechCrunch

Displays of poor table manners, mismatched shirts and pants, and a lack of a civil tongue were common on the streets and in the saloons.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "lacking of tongue" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "lacking a tongue" or "unable to speak".

Common error

The preposition "of" is often misused after "lacking". Remember to use "lacking a/the" or rephrase to avoid the preposition altogether. For example, use "devoid of" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking of tongue" functions as an adjective phrase, attempting to describe a state of being without the ability to speak or without a physical tongue. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not grammatically correct in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "lacking of tongue" might be encountered in various sources, it is grammatically incorrect according to Ludwig. The intended meaning is to describe the absence of speech or a physical tongue, but clearer and more accurate alternatives exist. For improved writing, prefer phrases such as "unable to speak", "speechless", or "lacking a tongue". The phrase's appearance across different contexts like News & Media and Science doesn't validate its use, especially in formal settings. It's crucial to prioritize grammatical accuracy and clarity in writing, and thus alternatives are highly recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lacking a tongue

Grammatically correct alternative focusing on the physical absence.

Unable to speak

Directly states the inability to produce speech.

Mute

Indicates a permanent or temporary inability to speak.

Lacking the power of speech

More formal way of expressing the inability to speak.

Speechless

A simple adjective describing the state of being without speech.

Deprived of speech

Implies that speech has been taken away or lost.

Without a voice

Implies the absence of a vocal capability.

Voiceless

Similar to "without a voice", emphasizing the absence of vocal expression.

Tongue-tied

Describes a temporary inability to speak due to nervousness or embarrassment.

Inarticulate

Suggests difficulty in expressing oneself clearly.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say someone doesn't have a tongue?

The grammatically correct ways to express that someone doesn't have a tongue are "lacking a tongue" or "without a tongue". Avoid using "lacking of tongue".

Is "lacking of" grammatically correct?

No, "lacking of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "lacking" followed directly by the noun or using "lacking in" before the noun. For instance, you might say, "He is "lacking in experience"" or "He is "lacking experience"".

What can I say instead of "lacking of tongue"?

Alternatives include "unable to speak", "speechless", or "mute". If you mean someone literally does not have a tongue, use "lacking a tongue".

When should I use "lacking"?

Use "lacking" when you want to indicate that something is missing or absent. It can be followed by a noun directly (e.g., "lacking experience") or by "in" plus a noun (e.g., "lacking in judgment").