they lack

USAGE SUMMARY

'they lack' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something a group or several individuals do not possess. For example, "They lack an adequate understanding of the concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They lack leaders.

The New York Times

"But they lack understanding.

The New Yorker

But they lack clout.

The Economist

They lack message discipline.

The New Yorker

They lack coherence.

The Economist

Did they lack talent?

The Economist

They lack flexibility.

Technology in Society

But they lack Marker's magic.

Independent

They lack the right hardware.

The New York Times

They lack security, something stable".

The New Yorker

They lack much to melt.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they lack", ensure the subject "they" is clearly defined and the lacking element is explicitly stated for clarity.

Common error

Be specific about what "they" refers to. Avoid vague references that could confuse the reader about who or what is deficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they lack" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deficiency or absence of something. It is typically followed by a noun or noun phrase specifying what is missing. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they lack" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a deficiency or absence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying the subject and the missing element. Alternatives like "they do not have" or "they are missing" can be used for slight variations in tone. By understanding its function and context, writers can effectively use "they lack" to convey information about shortcomings or needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they do not have

Uses a straightforward negative construction to express the absence of something.

they are missing

Uses a simpler verb, 'missing', to denote the absence of something.

they are in need of

Emphasizes the necessity of something that is currently absent.

they are deficient in

Replaces "lack" with a more formal synonym, 'deficient', implying a measurable shortage.

they are short on

Indicates a scarcity or insufficient amount of something.

they are without

Emphasizes the absence using 'without', creating a slightly more formal tone.

they have a deficit of

Uses 'deficit' to highlight a deficiency, often in a quantitative sense.

they fail to possess

A more elaborate and formal way of saying they don't have something, emphasizing the act of possessing.

they are devoid of

Implies a complete absence of something, often with a negative connotation.

they require

Shift in perspective, focusing on what is needed rather than what is missing.

FAQs

How do I use "they lack" in a sentence?

Use "they lack" to indicate that a group or entity does not possess a particular quality, resource, or attribute. For example, "They lack the necessary experience for the job."

What can I say instead of "they lack"?

You can use alternatives like "they do not have", "they are missing", or "they are deficient in" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "they lack" or "they do not have"?

"They lack" is generally considered slightly more formal than "they do not have", but both are acceptable in most contexts.

What's the difference between "they lack" and "they need"?

"They lack" indicates a current deficiency, while "they need" expresses a requirement or necessity. "They lack experience" means they don't currently have it, whereas "they need experience" means experience is required or desired.