seems to be lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

"seems to be lacking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that something is missing or not present. For example: "This essay on the history of computer technology seems to be lacking a comprehensive overview of the impact of digital technology on society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That, too, seems to be lacking.

The New York Times - Tech

Most are in disrepair, and maintenance seems to be lacking.

The New York Times

Yet one element seems to be lacking: people.

The Guardian

Once again, strict proof seems to be lacking.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, evaluation of entropy generation due to radiative transfer in participating media seems to be lacking.

Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer

But to many experts on Neruda and his work, something essential seems to be lacking.

The New York Times - Books

What seems to be lacking is some of the more organic growth – the bottom-up stuff".

The Guardian

It all comes down to trust – the one thing everyone seems to be lacking.

The Guardian - Tech

Sadly for women, it is spatial awareness that seems to be lacking.

The Guardian - Money

Nevertheless, the will to translate talk into action still seems to be lacking.

The New York Times

But such symmetry seems to be lacking in Djibouti, a small nation of 600,000 to 700,000.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems to be lacking" when you want to express a subjective observation about a deficiency, rather than stating it as an absolute fact. This softens the assertion and invites further examination.

Common error

While "seems to be lacking" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing appear hesitant. In formal contexts, consider stronger, more direct statements if the deficiency is well-supported by evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems to be lacking" functions as a hedge, softening a claim about the absence or deficiency of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It introduces a degree of subjectivity, implying an observation rather than a definitive statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

35%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seems to be lacking" is a versatile phrase used to express a perceived absence or deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of contexts, although it's important to consider stronger alternatives for formal writing where a more direct assertion is appropriate. The phrase is very common, particularly in News & Media and Science, and offers a way to soften claims and invite further consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be absent

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "lacking" with "absent", emphasizing a visible absence.

appears to be missing

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "lacking" with "missing", suggesting something is not where it should be.

is apparently deficient

Replaces "seems to be" with "is apparently" and "lacking" with "deficient", indicating an obvious shortcoming.

is conspicuously absent

Replaces "seems to be" with "is conspicuously" and "lacking" with "absent", highlighting a noticeable absence.

is noticeably missing

Replaces "seems to be" with "is noticeably" and "lacking" with "missing", emphasizing a clear absence.

is evidently wanting

Replaces "seems to be" with "is evidently" and "lacking" with "wanting", suggesting a clear need that is not being met.

is conspicuously deficient

Replaces "seems to be" with "is conspicuously" and "lacking" with "deficient", suggesting an obvious inadequacy.

is plainly inadequate

Replaces "seems to be lacking" with a direct statement of inadequacy.

is clearly insufficient

Replaces "seems to be lacking" with a statement of clear insufficiency.

falls short

A more concise way of saying something does not meet expectations or requirements.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "seems to be lacking" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "appears to be absent", "is apparently deficient", or "is conspicuously absent" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "seems to be lacking" and "is lacking"?

"Seems to be lacking" implies a subjective assessment or observation, while "is lacking" states a more definitive fact. Use "seems to be lacking" when you want to express a perception rather than an absolute truth.

What are some synonyms for "seems to be lacking"?

Synonyms include "appears to be missing", "is noticeably missing", "is evidently wanting", and "falls short", each carrying slightly different nuances.

How to use "seems to be lacking" in a sentence?

You can use "seems to be lacking" to indicate a deficiency or absence. For example, "The report seems to be lacking crucial data", or "The project seems to be lacking proper planning".