tends to lack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tends to lack" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a general tendency or pattern where something is often missing or insufficient. Example: "The report tends to lack detailed analysis, which is crucial for understanding the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Database logic (that of the computer archive) tends to lack beginnings or endings, and thematic developments are not necessarily sequential.

The New York Times

Dating back to the Maya, it tends to lack bitterness and astringency and is considered the rarest type of cacao.

The New York Times

Of course, parody politics in America quickly becomes real politics, too, but tends to lack the saving self-knowledge of its origins in parody.

The New Yorker

Gilbert regularly deploys words like "light," "dark," "love," "heart," "soul," "spirit" and "moon" in a way that, while not naïve, tends to lack any leavening irony.

The New York Times - Books

The deaths aren't cartoonish; they stay with you the way that fairy-tale deaths do, but with the reflection the prince or miller's daughter tends to lack about the psychic cost of being the one doing the killing.

The New Yorker

Thompson, who often takes more nuanced views on complex issues such as stop and frisk, has a great deal of passion – he's just often overlooked because he tends to lack panache.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Companies tend to lack strategy.

The Guardian

But they tended to lack political savvy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many Latin teams lack the mental toughness, whereas English players tend to lack the technique.

The Guardian - Sport

Conventional wisdom states that Tremlett has tended to lack an empowering sense of nastiness.

The Guardian - Sport

Most of the smaller models built before 1960 tend to lack a shower or toilet.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "tend to lack" with a more direct term like "omits" or "misses" when aiming for conciseness.

Common error

Avoid using "tends to lack" to make sweeping statements without sufficient evidence. Provide specific examples or data to support the claim. Overgeneralizing can weaken your argument and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tends to lack" functions as a verb phrase expressing a common deficiency or absence. It indicates a habitual or frequent lack of something, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tends to lack" is a versatile expression used to denote a frequent absence or deficiency, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. When writing, it is important to avoid overgeneralization and to ensure clarity by specifying what exactly "tends to lack" what. Alternative phrases such as "is often missing" or "generally lacks" can provide slight variations in meaning. The choice of using "tends to lack" depends on the intended nuance and the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally lacks

Highlights a typical absence, suggesting a characteristic deficiency.

is often missing

Focuses on the absence of something, implying it should be present.

is usually devoid of

Emphasizes a complete absence, indicating something is entirely missing.

often fails to provide

Highlights the inability to supply or offer something regularly.

is frequently deficient in

Stresses a recurring inadequacy or shortage of something.

commonly falls short of

Indicates a frequent failure to reach a desired standard or level.

is apt to omit

Implies a habitual or likely omission of something.

is inclined to exclude

Suggests a natural or habitual omission of something.

has a propensity for missing

Focuses on the inclination or tendency to leave something out.

is prone to be without

Highlights a susceptibility or likelihood of not having something.

FAQs

How can I use "tends to lack" in a sentence?

You can use "tends to lack" to describe something that is usually missing a particular quality or feature. For example, "Modern architecture "tends to lack" the ornate details of older styles".

What's a more formal alternative to "tends to lack"?

More formal alternatives include "is generally deficient in" or "is frequently devoid of". These options are suitable for academic or professional writing where a more precise tone is desired.

What can I say instead of "tends to lack" in informal writing?

In informal writing, you can use phrases like "is often missing" or "usually doesn't have". These options maintain the meaning while using simpler language.

Is it better to use "tends to lack" or "lacks"?

Using ""tends to lack"" implies a general trend or common occurrence, while "lacks" suggests a definite absence in a specific instance. Choose the phrasing that best fits the context.