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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
lacks items
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "lacks items" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is missing certain components or elements. Example: "The inventory report shows that the warehouse currently lacks items needed for the upcoming shipment."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Alternative expressions(5)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
However, the PDI items did not comprehensively reflect the construct of dignity, because the PDI lacks items about communication and care characteristics.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
In an environment in which schools lack items for education and teachers are being laid off, this fence seems an unnecessary expense.
News & Media
They lack items with a broad enough range to adequately measure the extremes.
All negatively rated questionnaires lack items assessing the domestic life chapter of the ICF (i.e., IADL).
The item-person map, where the item difficulties and person measures were plotted together along the same logit scale, is useful for visual inspection to identify areas or gaps along the latent trait continuum that may be lacking items.
Differential item functioning (DIF), referred to as an item lacking item parameter or measurement equivalence across different groups or settings, was identified statistically by conducting the t-tests on the mean item calibrations between the 3 assessment time groups (T0 vs. T1 vs. T2).
Fifty-eight items were left out in the HAQ questionnaire (58 of 20 × 119 = 2%) and in the AIMS2 70 items were lacking (70 items of 20 × 119 = 3%).
The seven depression items of HADS mainly assess the mood symptoms including lowered mood, anhedonia, and psychomotor retardation; however, HADS lacks assessment items regarding somatic symptoms.
The correspondence is made up primarily of letters from the last ten years of Freund's life, and lacks any items from his German and New York years.
Academia
Korpela & Hartig (1996) have said that strong Compatibility cannot be found in a place which lacks the items of Being away, Fascination and Extent.
We have found that the existing ICF Checklist lacks several items which we found scored high in reliability and low in immeasurability rate.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "lacks items", ensure the context clearly specifies what kind of items are missing to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "the kit lacks items", specify "the first aid kit lacks essential medical items".
Common error
While grammatically sound, "lacks items" can sound less sophisticated in formal contexts. Consider using more precise vocabulary such as "is deficient in", "is without", or specifying the deficiency directly: "the report omits key data points."
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "lacks items" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject is missing certain components or elements. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
Frequent in
Science
56%
News & Media
25%
Wiki
9%
Less common in
Academia
6%
Formal & Business
4%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "lacks items" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that something is missing certain elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, although more formal writing might benefit from more precise alternatives like "is deficient in" or "is without". While versatile, it's best to be specific about the missing items to avoid ambiguity. The phrase finds frequent use in science, news, and wiki contexts, making it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
is missing items
This alternative directly replaces "lacks" with "is missing", maintaining a simple and clear expression of absence.
doesn't have items
Uses a contraction to convey in a simple way that something isn't there or not included
is short on items
Uses "is short on" to indicate a deficiency, suggesting a need for replenishment.
is deficient in items
Replaces "lacks" with a more formal "is deficient in", emphasizing a shortage or inadequacy.
has a shortage of items
Uses "has a shortage of" to express a lack, highlighting the insufficient quantity of items.
is without items
Employs "is without" for a straightforward indication of the absence of items.
does not include items
Focuses on the exclusion of items, suggesting they are intentionally or unintentionally omitted.
is devoid of items
Uses "is devoid of" to convey a complete absence of items, adding a sense of emptiness.
is wanting in items
Replaces "lacks" with "is wanting in", which is less common but still expresses a deficiency.
fails to provide items
Highlights the failure to supply or furnish items, shifting the focus to the provision aspect.
FAQs
What's a more formal way to say "lacks items"?
For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "is deficient in", "is without", or specifying the missing components directly.
How can I clarify what kind of items are missing when using "lacks items"?
Be specific about the missing items. For example, instead of saying "the package lacks items", specify "the package lacks installation instructions and mounting screws".
Is "lacks items" appropriate for all types of writing?
While grammatically correct, "lacks items" might be less suitable for highly formal or technical writing. In such cases, opt for more precise and sophisticated vocabulary, such as "omits" or "is devoid of".
What are some alternatives to "lacks items" when describing a checklist or inventory?
When referring to checklists or inventories, you might use phrases like "is missing items", "is incomplete", or "requires additional entries" to indicate deficiencies.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested