was found wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was found wanting" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something was lacking in some way, often in terms of performance or quality. Example: "The team's performance in the final match was found wanting, leading to their elimination from the tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was found wanting during the financial crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fact-checks were commissioned and Dutton was found wanting.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Citi was found wanting on both," she said.

The New York Times

For all his skill and charisma, Bure was found wanting last season by the Florida Panthers.

The New York Times - Sports

Whitmarsh was an effective No2 to Dennis but was found wanting when given the ultimate job.

The Guardian - Sport

We had a knowledgeable, hardworking waiter one night, but his backup crew was found wanting.

The New York Times

Karius saved on that occasion but was found wanting when West Ham levelled through Payet.

The Guardian - Sport

Chris Smalling, given the opportunity to usurp Gary Cahill, failed to impress and was found wanting for the goal.

The Guardian - Sport

Another of the favourites are gone after an Italian legend was found wanting by a fringe player at Perugia.

The Guardian - Sport

India, which advanced out of the other group, was tested, and to some extent it was found wanting.

The New York Times - Sports

This week German banks were reported to be in trouble, and German productivity growth was found wanting.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer this phrase when evaluating performance, quality, or effectiveness, especially in contexts where a standard or expectation exists.

Common error

Avoid using "was found wanting" when the sentence requires a more direct, active voice construction. For example, instead of "The solution was found wanting by the team", use "The team found the solution wanting."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was found wanting" typically functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes the state of a subject after evaluation, indicating a deficiency or lack of required qualities. Ludwig AI provides examples illustrating its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was found wanting" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something or someone was judged to be deficient or inadequate. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples shows its frequent use in news, media, and sports contexts. The phrase typically functions as a predicate adjective, serving to express a negative evaluation, and maintains a neutral to formal register. It's crucial to use this phrase accurately, avoiding misuse in active voice constructions and considering suitable alternatives like "was deemed inadequate" or "failed to meet expectations" for varied contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was deemed inadequate

Indicates a formal judgment of insufficiency.

was considered deficient

Suggests a lack of necessary qualities or elements.

was proven insufficient

Emphasizes that the inadequacy has been demonstrated.

did not measure up

A more informal way of saying something did not meet expectations.

failed to meet expectations

Directly addresses the failure to satisfy expectations.

fell short of the mark

Suggests a failure to achieve a specific goal or standard.

was not up to par

Indicates that something was below an acceptable standard.

proved to be lacking

Highlights the discovery of a deficiency through experience.

was shown to be inadequate

Similar to "proven insufficient", this indicates demonstrated inadequacy.

did not pass muster

Suggests that something failed to meet a required standard or test.

FAQs

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

You can use "was found wanting" to describe something that didn't meet expectations or was inadequate, such as "The team's strategy "was found wanting" in the second half of the game".

What can I say instead of "was found wanting"?

You can use alternatives like "was deemed inadequate", "failed to meet expectations", or "fell short" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was found wanting" or "is found wanting"?

"Was found wanting" is used when referring to a past event or evaluation, while "is found wanting" would be used for a present or ongoing assessment. For example, "The proposal "was found wanting" last week" versus "The proposal is being evaluated and may be found wanting".

What's the difference between "was found wanting" and "was left wanting"?

"Was found wanting" means something was assessed and found to be deficient. "Was left wanting" implies a feeling of dissatisfaction or unfulfilled desire after an experience. For example, "The performance "was found wanting" by critics", versus "The audience "was left wanting" more after the show".