through lack of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "through lack of" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to indicate a cause or reason for something not happening or not being done. For example: - Through lack of funding, the project was put on hold. - The team failed to win the game through lack of effort. - Many students struggle through lack of proper guidance. - The company suffered losses through lack of effective management. - The garden withered away through lack of water.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not through lack of trying.

The Guardian

This was not through lack of trying.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their skin has paled through lack of sunlight.

The Guardian - Books

It's not been through lack of effort," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

The main engines stopped through lack of steam.

The Guardian

Others could barely run through lack of food.

The Guardian - Sport

We're out, but it's not through lack of effort".

The Guardian - Sport

Both systems work by weakening plants through lack of light.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Exum's case was dismissed in court through lack of evidence.

The Guardian - Sport

He finds Gardoni faint through lack of food.

The New York Times

Death, or near death, through lack of liquidity is rapid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance readability, consider using more direct synonyms like "due to" or "because of" if the context allows for a more straightforward expression.

Common error

Avoid using "through lack of" in situations where the cause is not clearly a deficiency. Using it loosely can create ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The project failed through lack of something", be specific: "The project failed "through lack of funding"" or "through lack of planning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "through lack of" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating causation. It specifies that a particular outcome or situation has occurred as a direct result of something being absent or deficient. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "through lack of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates causation due to a deficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts. To ensure clarity, specify what exactly is lacking when using this phrase. While it is generally neutral in tone, consider alternatives like "due to" or "because of" for simpler expressions, and more formal options like "owing to" for sophisticated writing. Avoiding ambiguity and choosing the right level of formality will enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

because of the absence of

Emphasizes the non-existence of something as the root cause.

arising from the unavailability of

Highlights that something could not be obtained or accessed, leading to a specific outcome.

due to insufficient

Focuses on the inadequacy of something as the cause.

stemming from a shortage of

Implies that a deficiency is the origin or source of a particular situation.

resulting from inadequate

Points to the insufficiency of something as the source of the consequence.

owing to a deficiency in

Highlights the deficit or shortage leading to a particular outcome.

on account of a dearth of

Emphasizes a severe lack or scarcity as the reason for a certain situation.

as a consequence of limited

Indicates that a restriction or scarcity is the reason for a particular result.

caused by the want of

Uses 'want' to indicate a deficiency or absence as the direct cause.

attributable to the scarcity of

Suggests that a shortage is the identifiable cause of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "through lack of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases such as "due to the absence of" or "owing to a deficiency in". These alternatives provide a more sophisticated way to express the same idea.

What is a simple substitute for "through lack of" in everyday conversation?

In casual conversation, you can replace "through lack of" with simpler phrases like "because of no" or "due to no". These options are easier to understand and maintain a conversational tone.

Is it ever incorrect to use "through lack of"?

While grammatically correct, "through lack of" might sound awkward if a more direct phrase like "because of" or "due to" would be clearer and more concise. Consider your audience and the context when choosing your words.

How does "through lack of" compare to "for lack of"?

Both "through lack of" and "for lack of" indicate a deficiency, but "through lack of" emphasizes the process or consequence resulting from that deficiency, whereas "for lack of" simply states the reason. For example, "The project failed through lack of funding" highlights the failure, while "The project was halted "for lack of funding"" states the reason for halting it.