not lacking in

USAGE SUMMARY

"not lacking in" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It would typically be used to describe someone or something that has an abundance or sufficient amount of something. Example: She may be new to the job, but she is not lacking in confidence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Pakistan is not lacking in academic talent.

The New York Times

Certainly, Nigerians are not lacking in passion for the exercise.

The New York Times

Politically, the White House's strategy is not lacking in cunning.

The New Yorker

Dr. Cabrol noted: "We're lively people not lacking in ideas.

The New York Times

The former President is not lacking in self-esteem.

Independent

The ensemble is well tuned, reasonably together and certainly not lacking in enthusiasm.

The New York Times - Arts

Preston was not lacking in business sense, but his preoccupation was with the journalism.

The Guardian

Fear is not lacking in drama, but it is lacking in action.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Bordering the busy Dutch capital, the beach is not lacking in diversions.

The New York Times - Travel

Yet for all that, the US abstention and UN vote are not lacking in significance.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm not lacking in self-awareness but once I'm going somewhere, I'm going".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not lacking in" to provide a nuanced affirmation, subtly highlighting a potential expectation of deficiency that is, in fact, unmet. For example, "The presentation was surprisingly engaging, not lacking in visual aids."

Common error

While "not lacking in" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing where a more direct positive statement would be clearer and more impactful. For instance, instead of "The report is not lacking in detail", consider "The report is detailed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not lacking in" functions as a hedge or understatement, softening a direct claim of abundance or sufficiency. It implies that a certain quality or attribute is present to a satisfactory degree. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not lacking in" is a versatile expression used to indicate the presence of a sufficient amount of something, often serving as a subtle affirmation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase, frequently encountered in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "abundant in" or "rich in" offer more direct assertions, "not lacking in" provides a nuanced approach, suitable for tempered assessments and diplomatic commentary. Be mindful of overuse in overly formal contexts, opting for clearer positive statements when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abundant in

Replaces the negative phrasing with a direct assertion of abundance.

rich in

Similar to "abundant in", emphasizing a high concentration or availability.

well-endowed with

More formal and emphasizes a natural or inherent possession of something.

sufficient in

Highlights adequacy and the fulfillment of a need.

replete with

Formal and emphasizes being fully or abundantly filled.

has plenty of

More informal, indicating a sufficient quantity or amount.

teeming with

Suggests an overflowing or abundant presence, often used for living things.

amply supplied with

Highlights the provision or availability of something in a generous amount.

possesses an abundance of

A more verbose way of saying something has a lot of something else.

flush with

Indicates an overabundance, often associated with money or resources.

FAQs

How can I use "not lacking in" in a sentence?

Use "not lacking in" to indicate that something possesses a sufficient amount of a particular quality or attribute. For example, "The team is "not lacking in" talent" suggests the team has enough talent.

What's a more direct alternative to "not lacking in"?

Instead of saying something is "not lacking in" a certain quality, you can use a more direct positive statement like "abundant in", "rich in", or simply stating that it "has" that quality. For example, instead of "The proposal is "not lacking in" detail", you could say "The proposal is detailed".

Is "not lacking in" more formal or informal?

"Not lacking in" has a neutral to slightly formal tone. While acceptable in many contexts, it can sometimes sound more sophisticated than necessary. In very informal settings, simpler alternatives like "has plenty of" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "not lacking in" and "deficient in"?

"Not lacking in" implies sufficiency, while "deficient in" implies a lack or shortage. They are near antonyms. Saying something is "not lacking in" a quality suggests it has enough, whereas saying it is "deficient in" that quality suggests it does not have enough.