lacking that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the absence of something previously mentioned or implied. Example: "The project was unsuccessful, lacking that crucial element of teamwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Lacking that, you need The Ultimate Defense.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Moynihan put the issue in a perspective that was otherwise lacking that day.

The New York Times - Magazine

Which isn't to say it's bad, more that it's just lacking that crucial element of surprise.

The Guardian - Music

Something fundamental is lacking that could stall human space exploration for decades to come.

The Guardian

Unfortunately they are still a club lacking that killer instinct in front of the net.

The Guardian - Sport

Lacking that awareness, he projected his home-country norms onto his peer.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"Committed" lacks that.

The New Yorker

Brazil had lacked that strength.

The Economist

But Sikkim lacks that dubious luxury.

The New York Times

I lacked that perspective.

The Guardian - Film

His successor will lack that option.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacking that", ensure the connection between the clauses is clear. The reader should easily understand what is missing and why it matters.

Common error

Avoid using "lacking that" when a more direct conjunction like "because" or "since" would be clearer. Ensure the phrase truly reflects a missing element that affects the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking that" functions as a prepositional phrase or an adverbial phrase, introducing a condition resulting from the absence of something previously mentioned. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Science & Research

6%

Lifestyle

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lacking that" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a consequence resulting from the absence of something previously stated. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and formal settings. While alternatives like "without that" and "in the absence of that" exist, "lacking that" provides a concise way to connect ideas by highlighting the impact of a missing element. Remember to use it judiciously, ensuring clarity in your writing, and avoid using it where a more direct conjunction would be more appropriate. According to Ludwig, this phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for a wide range of audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without that

This alternative uses a more direct preposition to indicate absence.

in the absence of that

This option is more formal and emphasizes the condition of absence.

absent that

This is a more concise way of expressing the same meaning, but slightly less common.

if that is missing

This alternative is more explicit about the missing element.

failing that

This indicates a fallback option when the mentioned element is not available.

if that is not present

This option explicitly states the non-presence of the element.

without having that

This phrase emphasizes the lack of possession or inclusion.

if that's not the case

This shifts the focus to the situation rather than the specific element.

otherwise

This is a very concise alternative, implying the absence of the previous condition.

in its absence

This option focuses on the state of absence itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "lacking that" to indicate what happens when something previously mentioned is absent. For example, "The team needed more funding; "lacking that", they couldn't complete the project successfully."

What's a more formal alternative to "lacking that"?

A more formal alternative is "in the absence of that". For instance, "The proper documentation was required; "in the absence of that", the application was rejected."

Is "lacking that" interchangeable with "without that"?

While similar, "without that" is often more direct. "The recipe calls for fresh herbs; "lacking that", the flavor won't be as vibrant" versus "The recipe calls for fresh herbs; "without that", the flavor won't be as vibrant." Both are correct, but "without that" is slightly simpler.

When should I not use "lacking that"?

Avoid using "lacking that" if the sentence becomes convoluted or if a simpler construction using "because" or "since" would provide greater clarity. Always prioritize clarity in writing.