severely lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

"severely lacking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is significantly deficient in the thing it should have or provide. For example, "The school's security measures were severely lacking, leading to serious safety issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Your observations are severely lacking.

University of California, Berkeley

Wait for it, wait for it … "Severely lacking in vuvuzelas".

The Guardian - Sport

However, the data are highly fragmented, limited, or severely lacking.

Environment International

The problem is, my form and confidence are severely lacking at the line.

The New York Times - Sports

Transparency has been severely lacking in more than the credit-default swap business.

The New York Times

Beyond the accounting issues, the report determined that the company's corporate governance procedures were severely lacking.

The New York Times

For this new structural system, such insights into structural behavior are severely lacking.

Engineering Structures

The analysis concluded that the depth and breadth of signaling literature is severely lacking.

Computers & Education

The information about risk assessments derived from epidemiology studies is severely lacking.

Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology

However, despite their innovative tendencies, education on entrepreneurship and commercialization is severely lacking.

Journal of Surgical Education

Methods and information for such characterization of fractured media are severely lacking.

Journal of Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "severely lacking" to emphasize a critical deficiency, especially when the absence has significant consequences. For example, "The emergency response was severely lacking, exacerbating the disaster's impact."

Common error

Avoid using "severely lacking" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or dramatic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "really missing" or "not enough" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severely lacking" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the extent to which something is deficient or inadequate. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "severely lacking" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a significant deficiency or inadequacy. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, carrying a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context warrants the emphasis on the deficiency. Alternatives like "grossly deficient" or "seriously lacking" can be used depending on the desired degree of emphasis. Overall, understanding the nuances of "severely lacking" can enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriously deficient

Indicates a grave lack, stressing the importance of what is missing.

grossly deficient

Emphasizes the extreme inadequacy, carrying a stronger negative connotation.

critically inadequate

Highlights the severity of the deficiency, particularly in essential areas.

woefully insufficient

Indicates a regrettable inadequacy, often implying disappointment.

glaringly insufficient

Suggests that the insufficiency is very obvious and easily noticeable.

badly wanting

Suggests a strong need or desire due to the lack of something.

distinctly inadequate

Implies a clear and unmistakable lack of something required.

patently deficient

Indicates an obvious and undeniable deficiency.

markedly absent

Focuses on the noticeable absence of something, highlighting its importance.

significantly absent

Emphasizes the notable absence of something.

FAQs

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

Use "severely lacking" to describe a significant deficiency. For instance, "The project was "seriously lacking" in proper planning."

What are some alternatives to saying "severely lacking"?

You can use phrases like "grossly deficient", "critically inadequate", or "woefully insufficient" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "severely lacking" or "seriously lacking"?

Both "severely lacking" and "seriously lacking" are correct, but "severely" indicates a greater degree of deficiency than "seriously".

When is it appropriate to use "severely lacking"?

Use "severely lacking" when you want to emphasize that something is critically deficient or inadequate. It's suitable for formal writing and situations where the deficiency has significant consequences.