that lacked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that lacked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is missing or deficient in a particular quality or characteristic. Example: "The presentation was informative, but it lacked the necessary visual aids to engage the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We imagine that lacked the same impact.

The New Yorker

The scientists reared mice that lacked any microbiome.

The New York Times - Science

As a victory speech, that lacked his customary bravado.

The New York Times - Sports

The spectators were muted in a match that lacked atmosphere.

The New York Times - Sports

It was his singing that lacked dramatic depth.

The New York Times - Arts

They are a team that lacked confidence, especially on defense.

The New York Times - Sports

The team first created mice that lacked a functioning gene.

Science Magazine

As a consequence, these techniques may help gain insights that lacked based of purely informal theories.

Crime Science

An additional 9 variables that lacked expert panel consensus differed significantly among the different medical centers.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Spain was a classic case of a country that lacked an initial seed ecosystem.

TechCrunch

They then developed mice that lacked Juno.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that lacked", ensure that the sentence clearly specifies what was missing. Clarity enhances the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "that lacked" without explicitly stating what is missing. Ambiguity can confuse the reader and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that lacked" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by describing a missing attribute or characteristic. As Ludwig shows, this construction is frequently used across different domains to express a deficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that lacked" serves as a relative clause indicating a deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and frequently used across different genres including science, news and media, and business. It is crucial to specify exactly what is missing when using this phrase to maintain clarity. While being a versatile phrase, alternatives such as "that was missing" or "that was deficient in" can be employed to adjust the formality as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was absent of

Directly states the absence of something, maintaining a similar structure.

that was deficient in

Focuses on the deficiency aspect, using a more formal tone.

that didn't have

Uses a contraction for a more conversational tone.

that was without

Emphasizes the absence of something using a simpler preposition.

that did not possess

Highlights the absence of possession, using a more formal verb.

that was devoid of

Emphasizes a complete absence, using a stronger and more formal term.

that failed to have

Focuses on the failure to possess, implying a potential expectation.

that was short on

Indicates a shortage or insufficiency, often in a more informal context.

that had a deficit of

Emphasizes the quantitative aspect of the lack, using a more technical term.

that could not offer

Highlights the inability to provide something, focusing on capability.

FAQs

How can I use "that lacked" in a sentence?

Use "that lacked" to describe something missing a necessary or desirable attribute. For example, "The presentation "that lacked visual aids" failed to engage the audience."

What are some alternatives to "that lacked"?

Alternatives include "that was missing", "that was deficient in", or "that did not possess", depending on the specific context and desired formality.

Is it better to say "that lacked" or "that was missing"?

Both "that lacked" and "that was missing" are grammatically correct. "That lacked" may sound slightly more formal, while "that was missing" is generally more common in everyday language.

Can "that lacked" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "that lacked" is appropriate for formal writing. It is often used in academic and professional contexts to describe deficiencies or absences in a clear and concise manner.