serious lack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious lack" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant deficiency or absence of something important or necessary. Example: "The report highlighted a serious lack of resources for the project, which could hinder its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That' a serious lack of plan.

MIT Technology Review

She added that there was a "serious lack of evidence".

The Guardian

"It shows a serious lack of transparency," Mr Rappaport added.

The Guardian

The proposed campus plan indicates a serious lack of concern for handicapped access.

Princeton University

Moreover, there is a serious lack of experimental results and benchmark problems.

Mathematical and Computer Modelling

"Meaningless names, meaningless messages and a serious lack of stature were the major leave-behinds".

The New York Times

There is a serious lack of investment in critical infrastructure like schools and hospitals.

The Guardian

It's atrocious and appalling - they're experienced coaches, but there's a serious lack of investment.

The Guardian - Sport

The committee said ASI's actions were "deplorable", "entirely inappropriate" and showed a "serious lack of judgment".

The Guardian

There is a serious lack of financial scholarships available to help.

The Guardian

Cosmic Egg is the sound of a serious lack of invention.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serious lack", ensure the context clearly indicates what is missing and why it matters. For example, "There is a "serious lack" of funding, which hinders the project's progress."

Common error

Avoid using "serious lack" when a simple "lack" would suffice. Overusing "serious" can diminish its impact. Reserve it for situations where the deficiency truly has significant consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious lack" functions as a noun phrase, where "serious" modifies the noun "lack", indicating a significant deficiency. Ludwig examples show it's used to highlight the absence of essential resources, qualities, or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious lack" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used noun phrase that emphasizes a significant deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "significant deficiency" and "major shortage" exist, "serious lack" effectively conveys the severity of the absence. When using this phrase, ensure that the context makes clear what exactly is missing and the specific relevance of this deficiency. It is important to avoid overusing "serious lack" when a simpler "lack" suffices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant deficiency

Emphasizes the insufficiency or inadequacy of something.

major shortage

Highlights that the phrase focuses on the insufficient amount of something available.

critical deficit

Suggests a severe and potentially damaging shortfall.

grave absence

Conveys a sense of importance and potential negative consequences due to the missing element.

dire scarcity

Emphasizes the extreme rarity and limited availability of something.

substantial inadequacy

Highlights the insufficiency being considerable.

profound dearth

This phrase emphasizes the deep and extensive lack of something.

acute insufficiency

Implies that the lack is severe and immediate.

marked absence

Focuses on the noticeable and evident lack of something.

notable deficiency

This expresses a lack that is both obvious and worthy of attention.

FAQs

How can I use "serious lack" in a sentence?

The phrase "serious lack" is used to emphasize a significant deficiency or absence of something important. For example: "The investigation revealed a "serious lack" of safety measures."

What are some alternatives to "serious lack"?

You can use alternatives such as "significant deficiency", "major shortage", or "critical deficit" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "serious lack" versus just "lack"?

"Serious lack" should be used when the deficiency has significant and potentially negative consequences. If the absence is less critical, simply using "lack" may be more appropriate.

Is "serious lack of" or "serious lacking of" the correct usage?

"Serious lack of" is the correct and more common usage. "Lacking" is typically used as an adjective or part of a verb phrase, not directly after "lack" in this context.