lacking thoroughness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking thoroughness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not detailed or comprehensive enough, often in the context of work, research, or analysis. Example: "The report was criticized for lacking thoroughness, which led to several important details being overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Agencies were "lacking urgency", "lacking thoroughness" and "insufficiently challenging to the parent".

The Guardian

Detective Vannatter's testimony that Mr. Simpson was not yet a suspect when they first visited the house was widely disbelieved, and his and Detective Lange's interrogation of Mr. Simpson was criticized as lacking thoroughness; it lasted only 32 minutes, and they failed to press Mr. Simpson after he gave vague and elusive statements.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A review of environmental hygiene in healthcare settings showed that implementation often lacked thoroughness; only 40% of the surfaces were being thoroughly cleaned in accordance with existing policies [ 39].

BMC Infectious Diseases

"Investigations into police ill-treatment have been slow, lacking in thoroughness and often inconclusive," said Mr Patzelt.

The Guardian

What you lacked in thoroughness and stomping you made up for in speed and menace.

Vice

Though Jervis clearly had a strong impact during the Napoleonic Wars and afterwards on the development of the Navy, surprisingly few contemporary biographies of Jervis are available, and those are seriously lacking in breadth and thoroughness.

Wikipedia

Terry Wogan has said the BBC has lost its standing as the finest broadcaster in the world and that its bosses lack "old-fashioned thoroughness and commitment" and given his strongest hint yet that he will quit as BBC1's Eurovision host.

The Guardian

The report said the intervention in the family lacked urgency and thoroughness and the agencies involved did not challenge Connelly's poor parenting or focus on the children's welfare.

BBC

It said the actions of the protecting professions involved with Baby P were lacking in urgency, lacking in thoroughness and insufficiently challenging to the child's mother.

The Guardian

In reality, such thoroughness is often lacking.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Even Major League Baseball recently agreed to begin a steroid testing program, although it has been widely criticized for its lack of thoroughness.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a process or analysis, use "lacking thoroughness" to pinpoint the absence of detailed examination, which can help focus recommendations for improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "lacking thoroughness" when a simple oversight occurred. Reserve it for situations where the deficiency significantly impacts the outcome or validity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking thoroughness" functions as a descriptive term, specifically indicating a deficiency or absence of completeness and attention to detail. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase accurately describes something not detailed or comprehensive enough, often in the context of work, research, or analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lacking thoroughness" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the absence of sufficient detail or completeness. Though relatively rare, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage for critique and assessment in neutral to formal contexts. Related phrases include "incomplete" and "not comprehensive", but "lacking thoroughness" specifically emphasizes a deficiency in detailed examination. Use this phrase when accuracy and attention to detail are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not comprehensive

Emphasizes the absence of complete coverage, closely related to "lacking thoroughness".

deficient in detail

Focuses specifically on the absence of sufficient details, similar to "lacking thoroughness".

negligent in detail

Highlights the failure to give enough attention and care to details.

cursory

Suggests a hasty and therefore not thorough examination. Similar in implying a lack of detail due to speed.

inadequate depth

Highlights the insufficiency in the level of detail or analysis. More specific than the original phrase.

incomplete

Describes something not fully done or finished; less specific than "lacking thoroughness".

superficial

Indicates a lack of depth in the examination or treatment of a subject. Differs by implying a surface-level approach.

perfunctory

Done routinely and with little care or interest. Suggests a lack of enthusiasm, distinct from simple lack of thoroughness.

sketchy

Implies a lack of detail to the point of being unreliable or unconvincing. A more informal term.

slapdash

Done carelessly and hastily. Implies poor quality due to speed and lack of attention.

FAQs

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

You can say, "The investigation was criticized for "lacking thoroughness", which led to key evidence being missed."

What are some alternatives to "lacking thoroughness"?

Alternatives include "incomplete", "deficient in detail", or "not comprehensive", depending on the context.

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

It means that the subject in question has not been examined, analyzed, or executed with sufficient attention to detail or completeness.

Is it better to prioritize speed or thoroughness in a project?

While speed is sometimes necessary, "thoroughness" ensures accuracy and reliability, especially in critical projects where errors can have significant consequences. As the New York Times said, "Thoroughness will take precedence over timeliness".