were lacking

USAGE SUMMARY

"were lacking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is absent or unavailable, or something that is lacking in a certain situation. For example: "The resources they needed to complete the project were lacking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We were lacking rhythm today.

The New York Times - Sports

But they were lacking in two ways.

The Economist

Collins and the offense were lacking options.

The New York Times - Sports

He gives us the stability we were lacking".

The New York Times - Sports

"We were lacking of power against a great Spanish team.

The New York Times - Sports

Both qualities were lacking, according to some of the judges.

The New York Times - Sports

"He is just the man we were lacking.

The Guardian - Sport

"But most of the time, farmers were lacking those".

The New York Times

"I guess we were lacking attitude," Aguirre said.

The New York Times - Sports

All we were lacking were Mr. Happy Pencil cocktails.

The New York Times

In every aspect of high-class football we were lacking.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were lacking" to describe a specific absence or deficiency, ensuring the context clearly indicates what is missing. For example, "The necessary resources were lacking for the project to succeed".

Common error

Avoid using "were lacking" with an unclear subject, as this can lead to confusion. Instead of saying "Things were lacking", specify what exactly was missing: "Essential supplies were lacking".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were lacking" functions as a verb phrase indicating the absence or deficiency of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use in describing missing qualities, resources, or capabilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were lacking" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase used to indicate the absence or deficiency of something. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a valid and useful expression. Its usage spans across various domains, including News & Media and Science, making it suitable for both formal and informal writing. While it's important to use it with a clear subject to avoid vagueness, understanding its meaning and context can greatly improve your writing. Alternatives like "were deficient" or "were missing" can be used to add variety. Keep in mind "were lacking" applies to plural subjects, while "was lacking" refers to singular subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were deficient

Replaces "lacking" with a synonym emphasizing a shortage or inadequacy.

were missing

Indicates that something essential was absent.

were insufficient

Highlights that something was not enough or adequate.

were without

Emphasizes the absence of something.

did not have

States plainly that something was not possessed.

were short of

Focuses on a deficit in quantity or amount.

were in need of

Highlights a requirement or necessity.

failed to provide

Indicates a failure to supply something needed.

were wanting

Emphasizes a lack or absence, often suggesting a deficiency.

were bereft of

Suggests a profound loss or absence of something important.

FAQs

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

Use "were lacking" to indicate that something was absent or deficient. For example, "The necessary skills "were lacking" in the team".

What are some alternatives to saying "were lacking"?

You can use alternatives like "were deficient", "were missing", or "were insufficient" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was lacking" instead of "were lacking"?

No, "was lacking" is used with singular subjects, while "were lacking" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The skill was lacking" (singular) versus "The skills "were lacking"" (plural).

What's the difference between "were lacking" and "were needed"?

"Were lacking" indicates an absence, while "were needed" indicates a requirement. For instance, "Essential resources "were lacking"" means the resources were not present. "Essential resources "were needed"" means that the resources were required but not necessarily absent.