thoroughly lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly lacking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely deficient or insufficient in a particular quality or aspect. Example: "The report was thoroughly lacking in detail, making it difficult to understand the project's scope."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He puts a muscularity into his work that I find thoroughly lacking in food writing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The countless exhibits, endless stream of music and numberless documentaries that have surfaced over the past three months have been nothing short of mediocre; shallow, reactionary, aesthetically timed art thoroughly lacking subtlety, intelligence or substance".

The Guardian

LAST year, when eBay, the on-line market that is taking over the universe, came to Manhattan to put on a show house, it seemed thoroughly lacking in vision.

The New York Times

Her portraits of Andrew and Nina are thoroughly lacking in sympathy, despite the horrors they have suffered at the hands of their father, and their father in turn is such a comic-strip villain that it's hard to think of him as a flesh-and-blood human being.

The New York Times - Books

WHATEVER else it may accomplish, "1969," the latest thematic project of the contemporary-music ensemble Alarm Will Sound, proves that you can build something substantial — a historically astute program that makes solid, provocative points — around a notion thoroughly lacking in substance.

The New York Times - Arts

This means that all reductions for the next 20 years could be accounted for in a system thoroughly lacking integrity, one that allows American polluters to go about business as usual without making their own reductions.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Similar to our findings, they reported barriers to IPV screening that included time constraints, unpreparedness to screen for IPV and discuss the issue comfortably and thoroughly, lack of clarity about implementation of screening and inadequate referral resources [ 5, 7].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Part of the problem lies with the cast, which, while thoroughly competent, lacks singers who ideally inhabit their roles.

The New York Times - Arts

One of the important parameters influencing the bearing strength is loading speed that has not been investigated thoroughly and lacks sufficient data.

Composite Structures

This was a random sampling, thoroughly unscientific and lacking any pretense of being encyclopedic.

The New York Times

In fact, my fellow college applicant, right now you may be severely lacking in sleep, thoroughly disheveled by the amount of work that you have to go through.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thoroughly lacking" to express a strong deficiency or absence. It often implies a critical flaw or a significant negative impact.

Common error

Avoid using "thoroughly lacking" when a milder term like "slightly inadequate" or "somewhat insufficient" would be more appropriate. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the deficiency is severe and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly lacking" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun. It intensifies the idea of something being absent or deficient, indicating a significant inadequacy. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and effectively conveys a strong sense of deficiency.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thoroughly lacking" is a grammatically correct and potent phrase used to emphasize a significant deficiency or absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media and science, though less frequent in academic or encyclopedic content. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants such a strong expression of deficiency. Alternatives like "completely devoid of" or "entirely without" can be used to fine-tune the meaning. While versatile, it's essential to reserve "thoroughly lacking" for situations where the deficiency is severe and impactful to avoid overstating the issue. This phrase is an excellent tool for expressing strong criticism, provided it aligns with the gravity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantially lacking

Similar to "thoroughly lacking" but more focused on degree.

completely devoid of

Emphasizes a total absence, often used for qualities or characteristics.

entirely without

Highlights the complete absence of something, focusing on a lack of possession.

wholly deficient in

Stresses inadequacy or imperfection in terms of quality or quantity.

utterly absent of

Indicates a complete and undeniable absence, often used for abstract concepts.

significantly deficient in

Highlights inadequacy or imperfection but in a significant way.

noticeably wanting in

Indicates something is missing to such a degree that it is obvious.

conspicuously missing

Emphasizes that something is absent in a way that is very easy to see.

plainly insufficient

Indicates something is clearly not enough or not good enough.

markedly inadequate

Stresses inadequacy or imperfection, indicating it is clearly distinguishable.

FAQs

How can I use "thoroughly lacking" in a sentence?

You can use "thoroughly lacking" to describe a significant deficiency or absence of something. For example, "The presentation was "thoroughly lacking" in data to support its claims."

What's a good alternative to "thoroughly lacking"?

Alternatives include "completely devoid of", "entirely without", or "wholly deficient in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lacking" or "thoroughly lacking"?

"Thoroughly lacking" emphasizes a stronger deficiency compared to just "lacking". Use "thoroughly lacking" when the deficiency is significant and impactful.

What is the difference between "lacking" and "deficient"?

"Lacking" generally means missing something, while "deficient" implies a more critical inadequacy. You could say an essay is "lacking" in detail, but "deficient" suggests it's fundamentally flawed due to the lack of something. "Thoroughly lacking" amplifies the idea of "lacking".