lacking understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone does not comprehend or grasp a concept or idea. Example: "His response indicated that he was lacking understanding of the complex issue at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

But the other extreme of distance, professional aloofness and efficiency can appear cold, uncaring and lacking understanding.

The Guardian

Certainly, many young G.I.'s enter the military lacking understanding of other cultures, and morale is difficult to sustain over long, especially extended, deployments.

The New York Times

This is just one of many, many examples I have seen of teachers lacking understanding of ethnic minority children's experiences in school.

The Guardian

That's up from 14 deputies when the election was called, although critics may argue it could have been even better if Adams hadn't come across on radio and TV as lacking understanding of his own party's policies on key issues like water charges and income tax rates.

The Guardian - Opinion

Materialism is the metaphysics of the scientist lacking understanding of his own procedure.

SEP

Knowledge uncertainty is based on lacking understanding of processes and interfaces between systems and consequently their outcomes [15, 16].

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"But they lack understanding.

The New Yorker

"K's parents lack understanding of emotional matters, hence K's great fear that they mustn't know," she wrote.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While some local authorities are clued up about the benefits of specialist colleges, others lack understanding and expertise.

The Guardian

But many donors either lack understanding of the fund's innovative strategy or consider it too risky.

The Guardian

Another story, quoting Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Dubai's leader, is headed: "World lacks understanding of Dubai debt crisis".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacking understanding", ensure the context clearly specifies what the subject lacks understanding of. Providing specific details enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "lacking understanding" without providing context. Statements like "He is lacking understanding" are vague. Instead, specify the subject matter they don't understand, such as "He is lacking understanding of the economic implications."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking understanding" primarily functions as an adjective phrase. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun to describe a state of not comprehending or grasping a concept. Ludwig examples confirm this adjectival use, highlighting its role in characterizing individuals or groups.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lacking understanding" is a versatile phrase that functions as an adjective to describe a deficiency in comprehension. It appears across various contexts, notably in news, science, and general discussions, establishing its neutral register. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Related phrases, like "deficient in comprehension" or "without a grasp of", offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings. To ensure clarity, specify the subject of the lack of understanding. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. By avoiding overgeneralizations and providing specific context, writers can effectively use "lacking understanding" to communicate a lack of comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deficient in comprehension

Highlights a significant absence of understanding.

without a grasp of

Focuses on the absence of a firm understanding.

ignorant of

Emphasizes a state of unknowing, potentially implying a lack of awareness.

unaware of

Stresses a lack of consciousness or knowledge about a specific subject.

misinformed about

Indicates possessing incorrect or incomplete information.

naive about

Suggests a lack of experience or sophistication.

unfamiliar with

Implies a lack of acquaintance or experience with something.

in the dark about

An informal expression suggesting a complete lack of information.

short on knowledge

Focuses on a limited amount of factual information.

not cognizant of

A more formal way of saying someone is not aware or conscious of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "lacking understanding" to describe someone's deficiency in comprehending a subject, like: "The students were "lacking understanding" of the complex mathematical concepts."

What are some alternative ways to express "lacking understanding"?

Alternatives include "deficient in comprehension", "without a grasp of", or "ignorant of", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "lack understanding" or "lacking understanding"?

Both "lack understanding" and "lacking understanding" are grammatically correct, but "lacking understanding" often functions as an adjective describing a noun. "Lack understanding" is more often a verb, acting as the predicate of a sentence. For example, "They lack understanding" or "They are "lacking understanding"."

What's the difference between "lacking understanding" and "poor understanding"?

"Lacking understanding" implies a complete or near-complete absence of comprehension, while "poor understanding" suggests some level of understanding exists, but it is inadequate or flawed.