was noticeably lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was noticeably lacking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or an object that is clearly deficient or missing something important. Example: "The presentation was noticeably lacking in visual aids, making it difficult for the audience to engage with the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The speech was noticeably lacking in details about other plans for the coming year.

The New York Times

by Charles McGrath As political conventions go, the Democrats' gathering in New York last week was noticeably lacking in spontaneity, not to mention hard news.

The New Yorker

Celine, where Roberto Menichetti made his debut, was noticeably lacking in the look-at-how-fabulous-I-am energy that Michael Kors brought to the label, which is a good or a bad thing depending on your point of view.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While the top international dealers gathered here, the well-trodden path from Sotheby's salesrooms on New Bond Street to Christie's headquarters on nearby King Street was noticeably lacking in Americans.

The New York Times - Arts

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet by Charles McGrath As political conventions go, the Democrats' gathering in New York last week was noticeably lacking in spontaneity, not to mention hard news.

The New Yorker

Alexis Pretridis of The Guardian commented that her stronger and confident delivery in the chorus was noticeably lacking in the rest of the album.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The core engine is impeccable, but SFV is noticeably lacking in features.

The Guardian - Tech

Mr. Hoffman's kitchen is noticeably lacking measurement devices, so he tastes and tweaks often.

The New York Times - Food

The cohort is noticeably lacking in voice-of-a-generation types to serve as arbiters.

The New York Times

His power and speed were noticeably lacking from what Walter had seen during his recruiting trips to Columbus.

The New York Times - Sports

The department's small headquarters, at the entrance to the village of 440, is noticeably lacking file cabinets and large blotter books.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was noticeably lacking", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is missing or deficient. Provide specific details to avoid ambiguity and enhance the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "was noticeably lacking" without specifying what exactly was lacking. Ensure the reader understands what the subject is deficient in. For example, instead of saying 'The presentation was noticeably lacking', specify 'The presentation was noticeably lacking in data to support its claims'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was noticeably lacking" functions as a descriptive expression. It indicates that something essential or expected was absent in a way that was easily observable or apparent. Ludwig examples confirm its usage to highlight deficiencies in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was noticeably lacking" is a phrase used to highlight a clear and observable absence or deficiency. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears most frequently in news and media, and science contexts. The phrase serves to emphasize a lack or shortfall, often with negative implications, and maintains a neutral register. Remember to clearly specify what is lacking to avoid vague references. The examples provided by Ludwig show the phrase's versatility in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was conspicuously absent

Emphasizes the obvious absence of something.

was markedly deficient

Highlights a clear and measurable shortfall.

was clearly missing

Directly states the absence of something important.

was evidently short

Indicates an obvious insufficiency in quantity or quality.

was notably deficient

Similar to 'markedly deficient' but with a slightly less formal tone.

was plainly inadequate

Emphasizes the unsuitability or insufficiency for a specific purpose.

was visibly wanting

Describes something that is clearly not up to the required standard.

demonstrated a distinct absence

Focuses on the act of showing or proving the absence.

showed a notable scarcity

Highlights that a small amount of it exists or is available.

exhibited a perceptible deficit

Points out a readily noticeable lack or deficiency.

FAQs

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

Use "was noticeably lacking" to point out a clear absence or deficiency. For example: "The report "was noticeably lacking" in specific data."

What are some alternatives to "was noticeably lacking"?

You can use alternatives such as "was conspicuously absent", "was markedly deficient", or "was clearly missing depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "was noticeably lacking" or "was notably lacking"?

Both "was noticeably lacking" and "was notably lacking" are correct and very similar in meaning. "Noticeably" emphasizes how easy it is to observe the lack, while "notably" highlights its importance. The choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "was noticeably lacking" and "lacked"?

"Lacked" is a more direct and concise way to express the absence of something. "Was noticeably lacking" emphasizes that the lack was easily observed or apparent. For example, "The presentation lacked visual aids" vs. "The presentation "was noticeably lacking" in visual aids".