seriously lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

"seriously lacking" is correct and usable in written English.
It implies a lack of something to an overwhelming or serious degree. For example, "The school's resources were seriously lacking, making it difficult for students and teachers to achieve their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But we are seriously lacking onramps".

The New York Times - Magazine

But it's seriously lacking in incident and dramatic drive.

The Guardian - Film

It showed that they  were "seriously lacking controls and oversight".

The New York Times

Satisfying methods to address this issue are seriously lacking in literature.

Electrochimica Acta

What's seriously lacking is a global plan and the political leverage to enact it.

The Guardian

"We are seriously lacking in the necessary budget and professional staff.

The Guardian

Most organizations are seriously lacking in their capabilities to measure progress toward their purpose.

Harvard Business Review

Amidst a ballooning debt, its investments in education, infrastructure, and science and technology are seriously lacking.

The Washington Post

And for some reason the tennis center was seriously lacking in fans around lunchtime.

The New York Times

Equal parts strength, flexibility and grace — all qualities in which I am seriously lacking.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, in vitro interaction studies (dual culture) suggested that this strain was seriously lacking in disease suppressing traits.

Geoderma

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seriously lacking", ensure the context clearly defines what is missing and why its absence is significant. This adds weight to your statement and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "seriously lacking" in overly casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "really missing" or "doesn't have" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seriously lacking" functions as a descriptive element, highlighting a deficiency or absence that significantly impacts the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in expressing notable inadequacy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seriously lacking" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote a significant deficiency or absence. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across various contexts. It's most common in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While it can be used broadly, it's best to use in formal and serious tone. Remember that synonyms like "gravely deficient" or "badly deficient" can be used for a change of pace.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

badly deficient

Indicates a significant shortfall or inadequacy.

gravely deficient

Emphasizes the severity and importance of the deficiency.

critically short

Focuses on the urgency and potential consequences of the lack.

woefully inadequate

Stresses the insufficiency and disappointment associated with the lack.

sorely missed

Highlights the absence and the resulting sense of loss.

severely impaired

Indicates a significant diminishment in function or quality.

noticeably absent

Points out that something is clearly not present.

markedly reduced

Highlights a significant decrease or reduction in quantity or quality.

desperately needed

Emphasizes the urgent necessity and lack of something.

substantially wanting

Highlights a significant deficiency compared to what is required or expected.

FAQs

How can I use "seriously lacking" in a sentence?

Use "seriously lacking" to indicate a severe deficiency or absence of something. For example, "The project is "seriously lacking" in funding", or "The team was "seriously lacking" in experience".

What are some alternatives to "seriously lacking"?

You can use alternatives such as "gravely deficient", "badly deficient", or "woefully inadequate" depending on the specific context.

Is "seriously lacking" formal or informal?

"Seriously lacking" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. In very informal situations, consider using simpler alternatives like "really missing".

What is the difference between "seriously lacking" and "slightly lacking"?

"Seriously lacking" indicates a significant and problematic deficiency, while "slightly lacking" suggests a minor and less consequential shortfall. The choice depends on the degree of the deficiency you wish to convey.