lacking specifics

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking specifics" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that does not provide detailed information or clarity on a subject. Example: "The report was lacking specifics, making it difficult to understand the project's scope."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Republicans have criticized Northam's tax proposal as vague and lacking specifics.

The Washington Post

Pro-Israel lawmakers and interest groups criticized Mr. Rouhani's speech as lacking specifics and echoing the themes Mr. Ahmadinejad had espoused.

The New York Times

Oppenheimer took issue with Hansen's climate change paper in the Washington Post last week for lacking specifics on how rapidly sea levels would rise, but he said there's no doubt "humanity better get its collective foot off the accelerator".

The Guardian

After Jealous touted his plan for college affordability at an event featuring a live-streamed speech from Sanders this month, Madaleno criticized Jealous's proposal as lacking specifics, adding that he has used his own perch as a lawmaker to work on the issue for years.

The Washington Post

"In the draft you have circulated, I sense a pervasive technocratic bias and an uncritical faith in the power [of] social science". During his gubernatorial campaign, Brown released an education plan that many experts criticized as lacking specifics.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

One author of that study said the Galápagos findings, though still lacking specific evidence of the toxic effect, were compelling.

The New York Times

This ability is often combined with learned aversions to foods lacking specific nutrients.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lacking specific drugs, as triptans are for the acute treatment of migraine, NSAIDs are commonly employed [7].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The purpose was to develop research hypotheses that would be as simple as possible, lacking specific measures.

European Transport Research Review

Mainstream media has made an effort to portray OWS protestors as lacking specific demands.

Huffington Post

Lacking specific regulations, many states treat e-scooters like motor vehicles or mopeds.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a plan or proposal as "lacking specifics", follow up with concrete examples of what details are missing or unclear. This strengthens your critique and makes it more actionable.

Common error

Avoid using "lacking specifics" as a standalone criticism. Always provide context and explain what kind of specifics are needed to improve the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking specifics" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes something as deficient in detailed information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lacking specifics" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe something that is deficient in detail. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is appropriate to use in writing when something does not provide sufficient information or clarity. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it is advisable to provide concrete examples of what specifics are missing to enhance the critique's impact. While "lacking specifics" is acceptable, alternatives such as "vague in detail" or "without details" may be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without details

Focuses on the absence of details, simplifying the original phrase.

vague in detail

Emphasizes the lack of clarity and precision in the details provided.

devoid of specifics

Highlights a complete absence of detailed information.

short on details

Indicates a deficiency in the amount of detail provided.

missing details

Focuses on the absence of required details.

sketchy on specifics

Implies that the details are not fully developed or reliable.

light on specifics

Suggests that the details are insufficient or superficial.

not detailed

Simple and direct way of saying that details are absent.

general in nature

Implies that information is presented in a broad, non-specific manner.

lacking precision

Emphasizes the absence of accurate and exact details.

FAQs

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

You can use "lacking specifics" to describe plans, proposals, or arguments that don't provide enough detail. For example, "The proposal was "lacking specifics" about the budget."

What are some alternatives to "lacking specifics"?

Alternatives include "vague in detail", "without details", or "devoid of specifics". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

"Lacking specifics" is more concise and commonly used. "Lacking in specifics" is grammatically correct but can sound slightly redundant. Both are acceptable, but "lacking specifics" is often preferred for its directness.

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

It means that the information provided is not detailed enough, making it difficult to fully understand or implement a plan, proposal, or argument. It indicates a need for more precise and concrete information.