was found to be lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was found to be lacking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was discovered to be insufficient or inadequate in some way. Example: "The report was found to be lacking in detail, which led to further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

For the albums chart, this equation was found to be lacking, and a new weighted methodology had to be developed.

The Guardian - Music

And when the science of National Park Service employees was found to be lacking, some wilderness advocates cheered the news that highly critical reviews of the science did not find actual scientific misconduct.

The New York Times

Online play in particular is one area where the PS2 was found to be lacking and Sony has rectified this - and more - with the PlayStation 3. The console has built-in wireless internet access and gigabit ethernet connection for fast downloads and smooth play.

The Guardian - Tech

Information on neonatal outcomes apart from PTD (such as serious neonatal morbidity and mortality) was found to be lacking in most studies.

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

A single specimen of an albino form, 2 cm in diameter, was discovered in Northern Idaho; it was found to be lacking the pigment responsible for staining the outer surface olive-green.

Wikipedia

RickA was previously shown to be truncated by the ISRpe1 transposon in R. peacockii and interaction of R. peacockii with actin was found to be lacking [10].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"In cases where stockpile security is found to be lacking, immediate steps should be taken to correct any deficiencies".

The New York Times

It's a big burden and one that could have a negative impact on their wider business if their training is found to be lacking.

The Guardian

"Currently, childminders are subject to individual inspections and regulation through Ofsted, and know that parents can take their children away if they are found to be lacking," says Liz Bayram, chief executive of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (Pacey).

The Guardian

Rule 102 e) of the S.E.C.'s rules of practice says that the commission can bar a lawyer who is found "to be lacking in character or integrity or to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct".

The New York Times

IT may come as no surprise that in the February issue of Consumer Reports, where the product-testing magazine rates 15 infomercial products like the Snuggie ("The blanket with sleeves!") and the ShamWow ("You'll say wow every time!"), nearly all are found to be lacking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "was found to be lacking" with more specific language that directly names the deficiency, like "lacked essential features" or "was missing key data".

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying heavily on passive constructions like "was found to be lacking" can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Try restructuring the sentence to use active voice for a more direct and impactful statement. For instance, instead of 'The report was found to be lacking in detail', write 'The reviewers determined the report lacked detail'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was found to be lacking" primarily functions as a verbal phrase in the passive voice, indicating that a subject has been identified as deficient in some aspect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was found to be lacking" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something has been assessed and identified as deficient or inadequate. Appearing most often in scientific and news contexts, the phrase functions primarily to express negative evaluation in a neutral register. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, writers should be mindful of potentially overuse of passive voice. Alternative phrases, such as "was deemed insufficient" or "failed to meet requirements", can offer more direct or specific ways to express the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was determined to be deficient

Emphasizes a formal assessment leading to the conclusion of deficiency.

was identified as inadequate

Highlights the act of pinpointing inadequacy.

was considered insufficient

Indicates a judgment of insufficiency based on given criteria.

was deemed unsatisfactory

Suggests a formal or official disapproval.

was revealed to be wanting

Implies that something essential was missing or absent.

was shown to be deficient

Focuses on the demonstration of deficiency through evidence.

proved to be inadequate

Highlights the result or outcome of testing or evaluation.

turned out to be insufficient

Indicates an unexpected revelation of insufficiency.

failed to meet requirements

Specifically addresses the inability to satisfy certain conditions.

fell short of expectations

Emphasizes the difference between the actual result and what was anticipated.

FAQs

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

Use "was found to be lacking" to indicate that something was discovered to be insufficient or inadequate. For example: "The research "was found to be lacking" in empirical evidence".

What are some alternatives to "was found to be lacking"?

You can use alternatives like "was deemed insufficient", "was considered inadequate", or "failed to meet requirements" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing a deficiency?

While "was found to be lacking" is grammatically correct, active voice (e.g., "the study lacked sufficient data") can often be more direct and impactful. Choose the voice that best suits the context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "was found to be lacking" and "was considered deficient"?

"Was found to be lacking" implies a discovery of inadequacy, whereas "was considered deficient" suggests a judgment or opinion. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the finding or the evaluation.