we were lacking in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were lacking in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a deficiency or absence of something in a particular context. Example: "In our last project, we were lacking in resources, which hindered our progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"We were lacking in scope and speed in dealing with various problems and for that I am sorry".

The New York Times

We were lacking in bite at the time when everything was decided.

Independent

"We played very badly and we were lacking in commitment," added the Spain international.

Independent

We were lacking in certain areas, both in terms of finishing and defensive work.

BBC

"We were lacking in certain areas and I'm looking at our senior guys.

BBC

"We were lacking in all departments in the first game but the crowd lifted us to see us through this difficult match".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

'We are lacking in confidence.

The Guardian - Sport

It may be we're lacking in overall downforce now.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not like we're lacking in resources".

The New York Times - Sports

"What we're lacking in Tamworth is high-achieving sporting heroes.

The Guardian

And it's not as if we're lacking in American talent and personalities, either.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were lacking in", ensure the context clearly identifies what was deficient and the impact of that deficiency on the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "we were lacking in" in very casual conversations; simpler phrases like "we didn't have enough" or "we needed more" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were lacking in" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a deficiency or absence of a particular attribute, resource, or quality. Ludwig shows that this phrase commonly precedes a noun or noun phrase, specifying what was deficient.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were lacking in" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for indicating a deficiency or absence of something, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral to slightly formal tone. While versatile, simpler alternatives might be preferable in casual settings. Ensure clarity by specifying what was lacking and its impact. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in explaining shortcomings and identifying areas for improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were deficient in

Replaces "lacking" with a more formal synonym, "deficient".

we had a deficit of

Uses "deficit" to indicate a shortage, shifting the grammatical structure.

we were short on

Employs a more informal expression indicating a scarcity of something.

we were wanting in

Utilizes "wanting" as a synonym for "lacking", sounding slightly archaic.

we didn't have enough

Expresses the deficiency in terms of quantity.

we experienced a shortage of

Focuses on the experience of a shortage, adding emphasis.

we needed more

Highlights the need for additional resources or qualities.

our resources were insufficient

Shifts focus to the inadequacy of resources rather than the act of lacking.

there was a paucity of

Employs "paucity" for a formal tone indicating a small quantity.

we found ourselves without

Indicates the absence of something with a sense of unexpectedness.

FAQs

How can I use "we were lacking in" in a sentence?

Use "we were lacking in" to express a deficiency or absence of something necessary. For example, "We were lacking in resources for the project".

What can I say instead of "we were lacking in"?

You can use alternatives like "we were deficient in", "we were short on", or "we didn't have enough" depending on the context.

Is "we were lacking in" formal or informal?

"We were lacking in" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is suitable for news reports, business communications, and academic writing, but might sound stilted in very casual conversations.

What's the difference between "we were lacking in" and "we lacked"?

"We lacked" is a more concise and direct way of expressing the same idea as "we were lacking in". Both are grammatically correct, but "we lacked" may be preferable for its simplicity.