that are lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that are lacking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is missing or insufficient in a particular context. Example: "The resources that are lacking in our project need to be addressed immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"There are two elements that are lacking here".

The New York Times

Factors being addressed vs. those that are lacking are highlighted.

Ocean & Coastal Management

There are plenty of well-worn diplomatic paths, so it's not structures that are lacking.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is the orders for high quality work that are lacking".

The Guardian - Business

These gaps are manifested as metabolites that are lacking either production and/or consumption pathways.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

Often it is not markets that are lacking, but free markets.

The Economist

We recommend popular smartphone applications for physicians that are lacking in evidence and discuss future studies to support their use.

Stanford University

But critics charge that the criteria are too broad and let in too many foods that are lacking nutritionally.

The New York Times

So the companies will have to create cows that are lacking the cow antibodies and have only the human genes.

The New York Times

"Those that are lacking are falling by the wayside and are really, really starting to struggle to attract business".

The New York Times

The vocal nuclei in songbirds match regions in the human brain that are lacking in non-human primates.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that are lacking", ensure that the noun or concept they modify is clearly defined and understood in the context of your sentence. For example, instead of saying 'the resources that are lacking', specify which resources are missing and their impact.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple clauses using "that are lacking" in long, convoluted sentences. Break down complex ideas into shorter, more manageable statements for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that are lacking" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun. It specifies which instances of the noun are deficient or absent. Ludwig AI examples showcase this function across various domains, affirming its grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that are lacking" is a versatile relative clause used to pinpoint deficiencies or absences, a finding confirmed by Ludwig. Appearing frequently across news, science, and academic sources, its neutral tone makes it suitable for a wide range of contexts. When writing, ensure the noun it modifies is clear, and avoid overuse in overly complex sentences. For alternatives, consider "that are missing", "that are deficient", or "that are absent" to tailor your message more precisely. Overall, this expression is grammatically sound and widely accepted, as supported by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that are missing

Replaces "lacking" with "missing", offering a more direct and simpler alternative.

that are deficient

Substitutes "lacking" with "deficient", implying a quantifiable shortage or inadequacy.

that are absent

Uses "absent" instead of "lacking", suggesting a complete non-existence of something.

that are unavailable

Replaces "lacking" with "unavailable", focusing on the inaccessibility of something.

that are in short supply

Emphasizes a limited quantity rather than a complete absence.

that are wanting

Uses the slightly more formal "wanting" in place of "lacking", indicating a deficiency.

that are not present

States the absence directly using "not present", a neutral and straightforward option.

that are needed but absent

Highlights both the need and absence, adding a layer of importance.

that are conspicuous by their absence

Draws attention to the absence, often implying it is noticeable or significant.

that are conspicuous for their deficit

Uses the word deficit, and the expression highlights that the absence is noticeable or significant.

FAQs

How can I use "that are lacking" in a sentence?

Use "that are lacking" to describe something missing or insufficient. For example, "The skills "that are lacking" in the team need to be addressed with training."

What can I say instead of "that are lacking"?

You can use alternatives like "that are missing", "that are deficient", or "that are absent" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "skills that are lacking" or "lacking skills"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "skills "that are lacking"" is a relative clause that can provide more context. "Lacking skills" is a concise adjective phrase that directly describes the skills, suitable for contexts where brevity is preferred.

What is the difference between "that are lacking" and "that are devoid of"?

"That are lacking" implies a deficiency, while "that are devoid of" suggests a complete absence. For example, "resources "that are lacking"" suggests some resources are present but insufficient. "Resources that are devoid of funding" indicates no funding exists at all.