sense of lack

USAGE SUMMARY

"sense of lack" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a feeling of lacking something, be it a physical item, emotional support, or otherwise. For example: The job seeker had a growing sense of lack as he had been unemployed for months.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"What I'm expressing is colored by a deep sense of lack," Mr. Powhida said.

The New York Times - Arts

Is the sense of lack we might experience made all the harder by being identified as pitiable?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"There was a sense of lack of control," Ms. Sikander said, because the execution was carried out by others.

The New York Times - Arts

The scale of being served Plotinus and many later writers as an explanation of the existence of evil in the sense of lack of some good.

Britannica

There's a strange sense of lack of urgency over Robert's disappearance, and he comes across as not only missing from the family but also missing from the novel.

The Guardian - Books

The consultants were surprised that the sense of lack of achievement was as keenly felt amongst senior managers and board directors as it was amongst more junior staff.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

To a degree that sense of lacking desperation remains somewhat of a recurring theme for Melbourne City.

The Guardian - Sport

The harsh interstate environment is anarchic both in the strict sense of lacking enforceable international law and in the broader sense of being violently chaotic.

Britannica

The term monasticism implies celibacy, or living alone in the sense of lacking a spouse, which became a socially and historically crucial feature of the monastic life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In my experience, many people tend to give up after a few failures because their mentality has altered to a sense of lacking.

Forbes

First, they are traditionally and entirely plausibly treated as abstractions, or as abstracted, in the quite specific and narrow sense of lacking independent (substantial) existence.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sense of lack", specify what is lacking to provide clarity and context. For example, "a sense of lack of control" is more informative than just "a sense of lack".

Common error

Avoid using "sense of lack" in vague or abstract contexts without specifying what is missing. This can weaken your writing and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of lack" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. According to Ludwig, it describes a feeling of deficiency, absence, or inadequacy. It pinpoints a subjective awareness of something missing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of lack" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a feeling of deficiency or absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys the subjective experience of something being missing, whether tangible or intangible. It's frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, demonstrating its versatility across various registers. When using this phrase, it's best to specify what is lacking to provide clarity. Alternative phrases include "feeling of deficiency" and "perception of absence". Overall, "sense of lack" is a useful and widely accepted way to express a feeling of incompleteness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of deficiency

Focuses more directly on the state of being deficient in something.

feeling of inadequacy

Emphasizes a sense of not being good enough or meeting expectations.

perception of absence

Highlights the awareness of something missing.

awareness of need

Focuses on recognizing a requirement or something that is wanted.

shortage mentality

Implies a chronic belief that there is never enough.

impression of scarcity

Highlights the idea that resources are limited.

void within

Emphasizes an internal feeling of emptiness or incompleteness.

yearning for something

Highlights a strong desire for something that is missing.

emptiness inside

Focuses on the sensation of being emotionally vacant.

unfulfilled feeling

Highlights the experience of not having one's needs or desires satisfied.

FAQs

How can I use "sense of lack" in a sentence?

You can use "sense of lack" to describe a feeling of deficiency or absence. For example, "The refugees experienced a "sense of lack" of security in the temporary shelter".

What phrases are similar to "sense of lack"?

Similar phrases include "feeling of deficiency", "feeling of inadequacy", and "perception of absence".

Is "sense of lack" a formal or informal expression?

"Sense of lack" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

What is the difference between "sense of lack" and "sense of longing"?

"Sense of lack" refers to a feeling of something missing or deficient, while "sense of longing" implies a strong desire for something, often something unattainable or in the past. The former emphasizes deficiency, and the latter emphasizes desire.