lacking subjects

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking subjects" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, sentence, or context where there are no identifiable subjects present. Example: "The report was criticized for lacking subjects, making it difficult to understand the main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Phenotypes of macrovascular pathology are described as unknown if diagnosis is unclear or data are lacking; subjects are described as affected if they carry the phenotype under study and as unaffected if they do not have the phenotype.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In contrast, the name variants Ikele ve and Mono kutuba allude to the fact that Kituba's verbal forms are less agglutinating and invariant, lacking subject-agreement prefixes, than they are in the ethnic Kikongo vernaculars, especially Kikongo-Kimanyanga.

Britannica

Lacking subject organization, the bibliography pages are nonetheless simple and effective.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Sentences lack subjects, direct speech is often unattributed and, most alarmingly, the characters change names according to their rank or circumstances.

The Economist

Let's start in the kitchen -- and never mind such minor faults as comma splices ("Lift top flap, pull apart center of seal area") and sentences that lack subjects and verbs ("Best before end: see lid").

The New York Times - Magazine

This suggests that our sample lacked subjects who were vulnerable to depression, which may have led us to underestimate the effect of eating status on depression.

Age and Ageing

His lawsuit was dismissed in August by Judge Denny Chin, who ruled that the court lacked "subject matter jurisdiction".

The New York Times

Mr. Sloan's suit was dismissed in August by Judge Denny Chin of Federal District Court in Manhattan, who ruled that the court lacked "subject matter jurisdiction".

The New York Times

Balancing a burgeoning recording career and a tumultuous personal life is a challenge, but at least Ms Cole will never lack subject matter for her songs.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The appeals court, in vacating the injunction Thursday, ruled that the district court had lacked subject-matter jurisdiction to adjudicate the players' union's appeal of the suspension.

The New York Times - Sports

The District Court held that it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction because the complaint rested on contract rights that should be enforced only in a state court.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "lacking subjects", ensure the context clearly indicates what type of subjects are missing, whether they are participants in a study, grammatical subjects in a sentence, or topics in a discussion.

Common error

Avoid assuming "lacking subjects" always refers to grammatical constructs; clarify the context to prevent confusion, as it can also refer to participants in research or topics of discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking subjects" functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating the absence of subjects, whether in a grammatical context (sentences lacking subjects) or in a research context (studies lacking participants). Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lacking subjects" is a grammatically sound way to describe the absence of subjects in various contexts, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Whether referring to grammatical components, study participants, or discussion topics, it effectively conveys a deficiency. While its use is not overwhelmingly frequent, it appears most commonly in scientific, news, and academic sources. Alternatives like "missing subjects" or "without subjects" offer similar meanings. To ensure clarity, specify the type of subjects being referred to, and be mindful of the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missing subjects

Replaces "lacking" with "missing", a direct synonym emphasizing absence.

absent subjects

Substitutes "lacking" with "absent", highlighting non-presence.

without subjects

Uses "without" to indicate the absence of subjects.

devoid of subjects

Emphasizes a complete absence using "devoid".

deficient in subjects

Indicates a deficiency or shortage of subjects.

bereft of subjects

Highlights a sense of loss or deprivation of subjects.

wanting in subjects

Implies that subjects are needed or desired but not present.

short on subjects

Suggests a scarcity of subjects.

excluding subjects

Focuses on the act of leaving subjects out.

omitting subjects

Highlights that subjects have been intentionally left out.

FAQs

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

You can use "lacking subjects" to describe a situation where something is missing the main focus or participants. For example, "The study was criticized for "lacking subjects" representative of the entire population" or "Sentences "lack subjects", making them grammatically incorrect".

What's a good alternative to "lacking subjects"?

Alternatives include "missing subjects", "without subjects", or "devoid of subjects", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "lacking subjects" or "missing subjects"?

Both "lacking subjects" and "missing subjects" are grammatically correct and can often be used interchangeably. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context. "Lacking" might imply a more inherent absence, while "missing" can suggest something that was expected but is not there.

Can "lacking subjects" refer to grammatical subjects in a sentence?

Yes, "lacking subjects" can refer to sentences that do not have a subject, making them grammatically incomplete. For example, "The instructions were unclear because they were "lacking subjects" and verbs".