their lack of

USAGE SUMMARY

"their lack of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a thing, emotion, or quality that someone or something does not possess. For example, "Their lack of empathy was obvious in their response."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their lack of response seemed to provoke him further.

Los Angeles Times

But their lack of progress raises alarms.

The New York Times

Their lack of hitting was.

The New York Times - Sports

Their lack of ambition is instantly appealing.

The Guardian

Not surprisingly, their lack of experience shows.

The New York Times - Sports

Their lack of precision terrified me".

The Guardian

They rued their lack of martial vigour.

The Guardian - Books

Their lack of imagination stunts economic growth.

Harvard Business Review

their lack of vision, talent, or strategic intent.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Instead, it has painfully exposed their lack of self-sufficiency.

The New York Times

But the worst part was their lack of offensive execution.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "their lack of", ensure that the noun following 'of' is specific and clearly defines what is missing. For example, "their lack of experience" is more precise than "their lack of something."

Common error

Avoid using "their lack of" when referring to a single entity or person. If referring to one person's lack, use "his lack of" or "her lack of", depending on the context. For example: "His lack of preparation was evident" is correct when referring to a single male individual.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their lack of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers to the absence or deficiency of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "their lack of" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a deficiency or absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business environments. The phrase is generally considered neutral in register, making it suitable for a wide range of writing styles. Common errors involve misusing "their" when referring to a singular entity. Alternatives include "their deficiency in" or "their absence of", each carrying slightly different nuances. This phrase is a versatile tool for expressing shortcomings or explaining outcomes influenced by a missing element.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their deficiency in

Emphasizes a specific area where something is missing or inadequate.

their absence of

Highlights the complete non-existence of something.

their deficit of

Implies a quantifiable shortage or insufficiency.

their want of

A more formal or literary way of expressing a need or absence.

their shortage of

Suggests an insufficient supply or quantity.

their limited amount of

Focuses on the restricted quantity or extent of something.

their restricted supply of

Similar to shortage, but might imply external limitations.

their inadequacy of

Points to something being insufficient or not good enough.

they are short on

An informal way of saying they don't have enough of something.

they come up short in

Suggests a failure to reach a required level or standard.

FAQs

How can I use "their lack of" in a sentence?

Use "their lack of" to indicate a deficiency or absence of something possessed or needed by a group. For example, "Their lack of funding hindered the project's progress."

What are some alternatives to "their lack of"?

You can use alternatives like "their deficiency in", "their absence of", or "their shortage of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "there lack of" instead of "their lack of"?

No, "there lack of" is grammatically incorrect. "Their" is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership or association, while "there" indicates a place or existence. The correct phrase is "their lack of".

How does "their lack of" differ from "they lack"?

"Their lack of" functions as a noun phrase, while "they lack" is a clause with a subject and verb. For example, "Their lack of experience was a problem" versus "They lack experience".