lacks sufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacks sufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is inadequate or not enough in quantity or quality. Example: "The report lacks sufficient evidence to support its claims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our delivery system lacks sufficient capacity.

The New York Times

The Federal Government lacks sufficient facilities to house families together.

The New York Times

This pairing also lacks sufficient votes to make Sánchez Spain's next president.

The Guardian - Opinion

The current military campaign against it lacks sufficient ground forces to be decisive.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said the city lacks sufficient parking in business areas and prefers to buy property.

The New York Times

The book's microfocus on her political battles also means it lacks sufficient geo­political context.

The New York Times - Books

At the same time, Silicon Valley lacks sufficient affordable housing and homeless shelters.

The New York Times

Isolated, the typical facility lacks sufficient scale and scope to improve corporate performance significantly.

Harvard Business Review

Yet, it lacks sufficient yield and ultimate tensile strengths at room temperature.

Acta Materialia

Current literature lacks sufficient data on outcomes after extensive laparoscopic liver resections.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Furthermore, the design of these studies often lacks sufficient power to detect the association.

Revista Clínica Española

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacks sufficient", ensure the noun following the phrase is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "lacks sufficient funding" rather than just "lacks sufficient".

Common error

Avoid using "lacks sufficient" without specifying what is lacking. For example, instead of saying "the plan lacks sufficient", clarify with "the plan lacks sufficient detail".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacks sufficient" functions as a verb phrase expressing a deficiency or inadequacy. It is used to indicate that something does not possess the required amount or level of a particular attribute. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lacks sufficient" is a versatile phrase used to denote a deficiency or inadequacy, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical correctness and frequent occurrence in diverse sources—ranging from news outlets and scientific publications to formal business documents—underscore its widespread acceptability. The phrase functions to express a judgment about inadequacy, commonly justifying conclusions or explaining failures across professional, academic, and neutral contexts. While synonyms exist, such as "is insufficient" or "falls short of", "lacks sufficient" maintains a formal tone suitable for structured communication. The guidance provided emphasizes the importance of specifying what is lacking to avoid ambiguity and ensures clarity in conveying the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is insufficient

More formal and direct, simply stating inadequacy.

is inadequate

Similar to "insufficient" but can imply a more general lack of quality.

falls short of

Suggests a failure to meet a required standard or expectation.

is deficient in

Highlights a specific area where something is lacking.

doesn't have enough

More informal and emphasizes a quantitative shortage.

is short on

Informal, implying a deficit in resources or qualities.

is missing enough

Emphasizes the absence of a required quantity.

is sparse in

Indicates a limited presence or availability.

is wanting in

A more archaic and formal way of expressing a lack.

is incompletely supplied with

A formal and elaborate way of expressing a lack of supply.

FAQs

How to use "lacks sufficient" in a sentence?

The phrase "lacks sufficient" is used to indicate that something does not have enough of a necessary quality or quantity. For example, "The evidence "lacks sufficient detail" to prove the claim."

What can I say instead of "lacks sufficient"?

You can use alternatives like "is insufficient", "falls short of", or "is inadequate" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "lacks enough" instead of "lacks sufficient"?

While "lacks enough" is understandable, "lacks sufficient" is generally considered more formal and grammatically correct in written English.

What's the difference between "lacks sufficient" and "lacks adequate"?

"Lacks sufficient" implies a shortage in quantity or degree, whereas "lacks adequate" suggests that something does not meet the required standard or quality. They are often interchangeable, but "adequate" focuses more on acceptability, and "sufficient" focuses more on quantity or degree.