lacking significance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking significance" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something is not important or noteworthy. Example: The minor details in his report are lacking significance and do not add anything meaningful to the overall message.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

There was a trend for the proportion of feed particles extracted from the stomachs of bream fed on the control diet to increase over time (P=0.001), resulting in the difference in the proportion of feed particles in the stomachs between diets lacking significance in the final sample days.

Aquaculture

Reviewers who work primarily on methodology but are not knowledgeable about the areas of the paper's data and results will often criticize it as lacking significance (because these data and results are not of interest to them) or novelty (if the methodology by itself is not very novel) or as invalid (if the actual data in this field require different assumptions than they are used to).

Nature

It may be possible that the general low level of depression/anxiety in boys explains the lacking significance of this variable in the boys' headache trajectories.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

‡Multivariable model only includes variables for which data are shown below because all others were lacking significance.

BMC Infectious Diseases

An underestimated sample size or less sensitivity of used questionnaires has to be considered as possible reasons for lacking significance.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

In addition, we detected a novel, very rare 53BP1 6bp deletion (1347_1352delTATCCC) showing an inverse association with breast cancer risk (age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.22 to 1.68), lacking significance (P = 0.34).

Breast Cancer Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Humor was rare, as if it lacked significance.

The New York Times

However, the orders lack significance in large part because they are only applicable to executive agencies.

Columbia University

But that doesn't mean their lives will lack significance and worth.

The New York Times

The Ricardian issue, moreover, was important in the context of an agrarian society; it lacks significance now, when land has so many different uses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While the statistical analysis lacked significance (p > 0.05), normalized data for both 4-week rhBMP-2-treated groups revealed strong trends toward dose-dependent improvement of peak torque, maximum torsional rigidity, maximum shear stress, and shear modulus (Table 4).

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacking significance", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect is unimportant. Providing a specific reason enhances clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "lacking significance" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler terms like "unimportant" or "irrelevant" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking significance" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or concept, indicating that it is not important or noteworthy. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lacking significance" is a grammatically correct and relatively formal way to describe something as unimportant or not noteworthy. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. It is most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts. When writing, consider simpler alternatives like "unimportant" or "irrelevant" for less formal settings. While the phrase itself is straightforward, ensure clarity by specifying why something lacks significance. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian use this phrase, solidifying its place in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insignificant

The most direct synonym, conveying a clear lack of importance.

unimportant

Expresses a lower degree of impact or relevance.

inconsequential

Highlights the minimal impact or effect of something.

irrelevant

Emphasizes the lack of connection or pertinence to a specific matter.

negligible

Focuses on the extremely small or trivial nature of something.

of little consequence

A more formal way of saying something is not important.

without importance

Directly states the absence of significance or value.

minor

Indicates something is small in scale or impact.

trivial

Emphasizes the lack of seriousness or value.

meaningless

Indicates a lack of purpose or value.

FAQs

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

You can use "lacking significance" to describe something that is not important or noteworthy. For example: "The minor details in his report are "lacking significance" and do not add anything meaningful to the overall message."

What are some alternatives to "lacking significance"?

Some alternatives to "lacking significance" include "unimportant", "inconsequential", or "irrelevant". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "lacking in significance" the same as "lacking significance"?

Yes, "lacking in significance" and "lacking significance" are very similar in meaning. However, "lacking significance" is more concise and often preferred.

What does it mean when statistical results are described as "lacking significance"?

In a statistical context, "lacking significance" means that the results are not statistically significant, suggesting that the observed effect is likely due to chance rather than a real relationship.