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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
replete and lacking
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
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
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
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].
Science
And so lacking today.
News & Media
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).
Science
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
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.
Science
Biomass productivities and lipid contents from nitrogen replete and N-starved low density cultures.
Science
We determined the localization of GFP-tagged mutant proteins in nutrient replete and deficient conditions.
Science
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.
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).
Frequent in
Science
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Less common in
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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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.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
Abundant yet deficient
Highlights a situation with both plentiful and lacking aspects but uses more parallel structure.
Full of contradictions
Focuses on the presence of contradictory elements rather than a combination of repletion and lack.
Rich but incomplete
Suggests abundance in some areas but incompleteness in others.
Lacking key elements
Emphasizes the absence of essential components.
Replete with flaws
Highlights the presence of imperfections despite abundance.
Abundant but flawed
Indicates a plentiful supply that contains defects.
Well-stocked but imperfect
Conveys a sense of being well-supplied, yet not without imperfections.
Full but ultimately wanting
Suggests an initial impression of completeness that is ultimately unfulfilled.
Comprehensive yet inadequate
Implies thoroughness that still fails to meet requirements.
Plentiful and insufficient
A more direct way of expressing that something is both abundant and inadequate.
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.
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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
77%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested