we are deficient in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are deficient in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a lack or insufficiency of something, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "In our recent assessment, we found that we are deficient in resources necessary to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But we are deficient in other areas like family law, criminal law and immigration law".

The New York Times

There is no dearth of possibilities, after all: as a species we are deficient in many ways, but we have a talent for atrocity.

The Guardian - Books

"Citizen cartographers," Google calls us — though it would seem we are deficient in at least a few qualities that great mapmakers require: texture, nuance, subtlety.

The New York Times

"(But) obviously effort is not an area we are deficient in".

Los Angeles Times

If we are deficient in the fundamental building blocks of organ function, our nerves and muscles and cells aren't going to be functioning at their best.

Huffington Post

A busy market is probably one of a Parkie's biggest nightmares because it requires so much of what we are deficient in: motor control, dexterity, proprioception, focus.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In a society committed to improving physical health (even toddlers know how to apply a bandage to a cut, he says), Winch explains that we're deficient in our ability to heal from emotional wounds.

The Washington Post

There's also the vitamin D hypothesis: we've become afraid of the sun and live sedentary lives indoors in colder climates, so we're deficient in vitamin D. Again, the evidence isn't conclusive, and both very high and very low levels of vitamin D have been associated with increased allergy.

The Guardian

I do worry that while we have really big collections for the top 15 major crops, we're deficient in the rest.

Science Magazine

"We're deficient in every category [of housing]." Ovrom, who still lives in Burbank, said large developers and property owners are "major players" in the city, but he said that's not unique to the Media City.

Los Angeles Times

We found mice that are deficient in Mmp13 to have a mean healing time indistinguishable from wild-type mice (16.3 versus 15.7 days), while Plau-deficient mice had a mean healing time that was delayed to 20.1 days (wild-type versus Plau−/−; p = 0.002) (Figure 2, A and B).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we are deficient in", be specific about what is lacking and its impact. This provides clarity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "we are deficient in" without specifying the area of deficiency. Being vague weakens the impact and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are deficient in" functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack or inadequacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It serves to identify areas where there is a shortfall or weakness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are deficient in" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for indicating a lack or shortage. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and while it's most common in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for professional communication. When employing this phrase, ensure you specify what exactly is lacking to avoid ambiguity and maximize impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we lack

Uses a more direct verb to indicate absence.

we are short of

Indicates a deficit in quantity.

we have a shortage of

Similar to 'short of', but uses a noun.

we have a deficit of

Replaces 'deficient' with a noun phrase, emphasizing the lack.

we are wanting in

A more formal way to express a lack.

we are inadequate in

Focuses on the insufficiency of something.

we are poor in

Highlights the scarcity or limited amount.

our resources are lacking in

Shifts focus to resources and their insufficiency.

we are missing

A simpler, more direct way to state something is absent.

we don't have enough

Emphasizes the insufficient quantity or amount.

FAQs

What does "we are deficient in" mean?

It means that there's a lack or shortage of something. Essentially, you're saying that you don't have enough of something necessary or desirable.

How can I use "we are deficient in" in a sentence?

You can use it to point out shortcomings in resources, skills, or qualities. For example, "We are deficient in skilled labor" or "We are deficient in funding for this project".

What can I say instead of "we are deficient in"?

You can use alternatives like "we lack", "we are short of", or "we don't have enough" depending on the context.

Is "we are deficient in" formal or informal?

It's generally considered a neutral to formal expression. While usable in various contexts, it's more common in professional, academic, or news-related environments than in casual conversation.