sense of lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of lacking" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when describing a feeling or perception of deficiency or absence in something, but it may be clearer to use alternative expressions. Example: "She had a sense of lacking in her life, feeling that something important was missing."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Sport

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

For expression is never logical, but always affective, that is, lyrical and imaginative; and hence it is never metaphorical but always "proper"; it is never simple in the sense of lacking elaboration, or ornate in the sense of being loaded with extraneous elements; it is always adorned with itself, simplex munditiis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

That's a lot of weight to put on a campaign or an individual, but this critical sense of lacking vigor has been a label that's stuck.

Huffington Post

Additionally, despite the presence of neuropsychological disturbances in people with ED being known (e.g. ruminations and obsessions about weight, shape and eating), they are merely eluded to in the current diagnostic criteria (e.g. fear of weight gain and a sense of lacking control).

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 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

They erupted on the edges of the lower middle income and middle-income neighborhoods, where invisible fault lines fence in a pervading sense of lack of upward mobility.

The New York Times

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sense of lacking", ensure the context clearly defines what is being lacked. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of lacking" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and direct alternatives like "deficiency", "absence", or "insufficiency" for improved clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of lacking" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a subjective experience or feeling of deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, although the phrase can be improved for conciseness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of lacking" describes a feeling or perception of deficiency. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that it can sometimes sound awkward and may benefit from more direct alternatives like ""feeling of deficiency"" or "sense of absence". Its usage is relatively uncommon, appearing mostly in news and media, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being lacked to avoid ambiguity. Consider more formal alternatives in academic writing for improved clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of deficiency

Replaces "sense" with "feeling" and "lacking" with "deficiency", emphasizing the emotional aspect of the absence.

perception of absence

Substitutes "sense" with "perception" and "lacking" with "absence", focusing on the awareness of something missing.

awareness of insufficiency

Replaces "sense" with "awareness" and "lacking" with "insufficiency", highlighting the recognition of not having enough.

impression of inadequacy

Changes "sense" to "impression" and "lacking" to "inadequacy", conveying a feeling of not being good enough.

feeling of deprivation

Emphasizes the emotional experience of being deprived of something.

experience of scarcity

Focuses on the lived experience of limited resources or qualities.

a void within

Uses a more metaphorical approach to describe an internal feeling of emptiness.

feeling incomplete

Emphasizes the sense of not being whole or finished.

absence of fulfillment

Highlights the lack of satisfaction or contentment.

shortage of

A more direct way of expressing a deficiency in something tangible or intangible.

FAQs

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

You can use "sense of lacking" to describe a feeling or perception that something is missing or deficient. For example, "The team had a "sense of lacking" cohesion, which hindered their performance."

What are some alternatives to "sense of lacking"?

Alternatives include "feeling of deficiency", "perception of absence", or "awareness of insufficiency". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "sense of lacking" grammatically correct?

While grammatically acceptable, "sense of lacking" can sometimes sound awkward. Consider using a more direct phrase for improved clarity, such as "a feeling of lack" or "a sense of absence".

What's the difference between "sense of lacking" and "sense of lack"?

"Sense of lacking" implies a continuous state of deficiency, while "sense of lack" suggests a more general feeling of something being missing. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of the deficiency.