Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

replete and lacking

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "replete and lacking" is not correct in standard English usage as it presents contradictory ideas.
It could be used in a context where you want to highlight a paradox or irony, but it may confuse readers. Example: "The report was replete and lacking in essential details, leaving the audience puzzled."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Now that the accusation charge has been dismissed, we should ask what purposes prosecutor Nisman sought to achieve with his accusation, which was replete with contradictions and lacked any logical or legal basis," the advertisement reads.

News & Media

Vice

It is a political game used to mask the realities of a penitentiary system that is replete of prisoners, lacking the most basic hygienic conditions, and suffering from systematic hunger, as well as physical and psychological torture.

News & Media

Huffington Post

The anthropological literature on Indigenous peoples in Brazil is replete with references to houses lacking internal divisions and children sleeping together and with adults on the same bed or mat, as well as sharing hammocks [ 62, 63].

And so lacking today.

News & Media

The New York Times

Moreover, in another limited series of T-cell-replete haploidentical transplants, recipients lacking KIR ligands for donor-inhibitory KIR receptors showed a tendency towards a higher relapse rate (Zhao et al, 2007).

The great British public may not be intimately engaged in the finer details of these issues, but they can spot a stitch-up when they see it and a self-regulatory system lacking in transparency – and replete with vested interests and cosy alliances – just won't wash.

News & Media

Independent

We investigate the influence of reaction time, temperature, and biomass water content on the measured FAME content and profile for 4 different samples of algae (replete and deplete Chlorella vulgaris, replete Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and replete Nannochloropsis sp).

To test the robustness of the HCl/MeOH procedure across temperature and time intervals and across different species, we ran designed experiments on four algal biomass samples (replete and deplete C. vulgaris, replete P. tricornutum, and replete Nannochloropsis sp).

aFold change in transcript levels between FeHm replete and deplete conditions.

Biomass productivities and lipid contents from nitrogen replete and N-starved low density cultures.

We determined the localization of GFP-tagged mutant proteins in nutrient replete and deficient conditions.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "replete and lacking" due to its inherent contradiction. Instead, choose terms that accurately reflect the specific abundance or deficiency you wish to describe.

Common error

Avoid pairing "replete", which implies fullness, with "lacking", which indicates absence. This creates a nonsensical statement. Instead, use "replete with [something]" or "lacking [something]" to convey clear and specific meanings.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

77%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "replete and lacking" attempts to combine contradictory qualities. Ludwig AI highlights that it is grammatically awkward due to the conflicting nature of "replete" (meaning full) and "lacking" (meaning without).

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "replete and lacking" presents a grammatical and semantic challenge due to its contradictory nature. Ludwig AI indicates that it is technically incorrect and should be avoided in most contexts. While it might be used for ironic effect, clearer alternatives like "abundant yet deficient" or "full of contradictions" are generally preferred to accurately convey the intended meaning. When describing something's qualities, ensure the adjectives you select enhance and clarify its nature, rather than detracting from the impact through contradiction.

FAQs

How can I use "replete" correctly in a sentence?

Use "replete" to describe something that is full or abundantly supplied with something. For example, "The garden was replete with flowers."

What's a better way to express both abundance and deficiency without using "replete and lacking"?

Consider phrases like "abundant yet deficient" or "rich but incomplete" to convey a nuanced meaning.

Is it ever appropriate to use "replete and lacking"?

While technically incorrect, it could be used for ironic or paradoxical effect in very specific contexts, but it is generally best to avoid it due to its confusing nature.

What is the difference between "replete with" and "lacking in"?

"Replete with" means full of or abundant in, while "lacking in" means deficient or without. They describe opposite conditions.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

77%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: