was found lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

'was found lacking' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or thing that was evaluated and was not considered sufficient by a particular standard. For example: "The student's performance in the class was found lacking when compared to the standards of the school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But if I wasn't prepared I was found lacking.

The New Yorker

It was just the last 2% where I was found lacking".

The Guardian - Sport

Financial oversight was found lacking in the I.R.S.'s undercover operations as well.

The New York Times

VG's analysis of the economy was found lacking by David K. in Oxford, England.

The New York Times

He's a good club representative and renowned for his excellent man-management skills internally, but of what was in his control on Saturday night, he was found lacking.

The Guardian - Sport

He had a great resume and a fairly solid conservative record, but was found lacking after a series of embarrassing debate performances.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Some are judged worthy; others are found lacking.

The Washington Post

If one group is found lacking, the school is placed on the list.

The New York Times

However, certifiability considerations and more realistic structural representations have been found lacking in these frameworks.

Composite Structures

In cases where these are found lacking or insufficient, the archive works with researchers on remedial actions.

Yale University

Decorum, self-control, compromise and honor have been found lacking in both the political realm and the c-suite before.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that it's clear what standard or expectation something "was found lacking" in relation to. Provide context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was found lacking" to express a purely subjective opinion without any objective basis or evaluative context. This phrase implies an assessment against a defined standard, not a personal preference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was found lacking" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject has been evaluated and determined to be deficient in some aspect. Ludwig's examples show its use in diverse contexts, from financial oversight to personal skills.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

32%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was found lacking" is a commonly used passive construction that objectively indicates a deficiency or inadequacy. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal writing across various domains, including news, science, and academia. While it conveys a critical assessment, it's important to provide context to avoid ambiguity and ensure that its usage aligns with an objective standard rather than subjective opinion. Alternatives such as "was deemed insufficient" or "failed to meet expectations" can offer nuanced variations while conveying a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was deemed insufficient

Replaces "lacking" with "insufficient", emphasizing inadequacy.

was considered inadequate

Substitutes "found lacking" with "considered inadequate", focusing on a judgment of inadequacy.

was shown to be deficient

Replaces "lacking" with "deficient", highlighting a specific shortcoming.

was proven to be inadequate

Emphasizes that the inadequacy has been demonstrated or proven.

did not measure up

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey failure to meet a standard.

failed to meet expectations

Focuses on unmet expectations rather than inherent deficiency.

proved to be wanting

A slightly more formal way of expressing that something was missing or deficient.

was not up to par

Uses a golf idiom to mean 'not good enough'.

fell short of the mark

Idiomatic expression indicating failure to achieve a goal or standard.

was not good enough

Simple and direct way of saying the standard wasn't met.

FAQs

How can I use "was found lacking" in a sentence?

Use "was found lacking" to indicate that something or someone didn't meet a specific standard or expectation, as in "The student's understanding of the topic "was found lacking" during the exam".

What are some alternatives to "was found lacking"?

Alternatives include "was deemed insufficient", "was considered inadequate", or "failed to meet expectations", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "was found lacking" in formal writing?

It's appropriate when you need to objectively express a deficiency or inadequacy after an evaluation or assessment. It is common in reports, analyses, and academic papers.

Is "was found lacking" too negative, and should I use a more positive phrasing instead?

While it can sound critical, it's suitable when accuracy is essential. If you want to soften the tone, consider phrases like "did not fully meet the requirements" or "had room for improvement", but only if they accurately reflect the situation.