lacking
lacking — adjective
- lackingpositive
- more lackingcomparative
- most lackingsuperlative
1. If something that is needed or expected is lacking, there is not enough of it or
If something that is needed or expected is lacking, there is not enough of it or it is not available in the amount required.
Funding for the new library is still lacking, so the project cannot start.
be + lacking (predicative)
The village's water supply was lacking during the long summer drought.
Basic medical supplies are seriously lacking in several rural hospitals.
When enthusiasm is lacking, it becomes hard to finish a group project.
A good night's sleep was lacking for the nurses working double shifts.
- insufficient
more formal; can be used before a noun (insufficient funds)
- deficient
stronger sense of falling short of a standard
- inadequate
focuses on not meeting a required level
- scarce
focuses on limited availability, not just shortage
文法句型
be + lacking
be + lacking + in + noun
用法筆記
Predicative only — this sense does not appear before a noun (*a lacking supply). Subject is usually something abstract or a resource, not a person.
常見錯誤
2. Describes a person or thing that is missing an expected attribute, such as confi
Describes a person or thing that is missing an expected attribute, such as confidence, experience, or a specific feature.
Jiwoo felt her application was lacking in relevant work experience.
be + lacking + in + noun phrase (quality)
The young teacher was lacking the confidence needed to manage the class.
be + lacking + noun (direct object)
Darius found the report lacking in specific data to support its claims.
The garden is beautiful but sadly lacking somewhere to sit in the shade.
Naoko's speech was well delivered but lacking in emotional depth.
- possessing
having a quality
- endowed with
naturally having a quality
文法句型
be + lacking + in + noun phrase
用法筆記
Can take a direct object (lacking confidence) or be followed by in + noun phrase (lacking in confidence). The direct-object pattern is more common in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
lacking — verb
- lackingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- lackings3rd person singular
- lackinging-ing form
- lackingedpast simple
1. To be absent or not present in a place or situation where something is expected
To be absent or not present in a place or situation where something is expected or required.
What the team is still lacking is a clear strategy for the next quarter.
what + be + lacking + is + [noun] (cleft structure)
Several key ingredients were lacking in the kitchen when Sven tried to bake.
The proposal is lacking in detail about how the funds will be raised and managed.
Trust was completely lacking between the two business partners after the dispute.
Mathieu noticed that a sense of urgency was lacking among the volunteers.
- present
available or existing in the expected place
文法句型
be + lacking
what + be + lacking
用法筆記
Often used in continuous (progressive) form, unlike stative verbs that usually avoid the -ing form. The construction 'what is lacking' serves as a common cleft structure for highlighting a gap.
常見錯誤
2. To not have enough of something that is needed, such as money, time, staff, or o
To not have enough of something that is needed, such as money, time, staff, or other resources.
The school district is lacking enough teachers to cover all the classes.
be + lacking + [resource] + to-infinitive
Salma realized she was lacking the skills required for the senior position.
Many families in the area were lacking access to clean drinking water.
The charity is still lacking a thousand dollars to reach its fundraising goal.
Rodrigo felt he was lacking the energy to continue the long hike up the mountain.
- having enough
possessing a sufficient quantity
文法句型
be + lacking + noun phrase
用法筆記
The preposition 'in' is optional in this sense. 'Lacking money' and 'lacking in money' are both acceptable, though the shorter form is more common in spoken English.
常見錯誤
3. To experience the absence or shortage of something desired or necessary, often w
To experience the absence or shortage of something desired or necessary, often with a sense of hardship or negative consequence.
The rural clinics lack basic equipment such as X-ray machines and sterilizers.
lack + [essential items] (formal register)
Talia felt the education system lacks the resources to support students with special needs.
The committee's proposal lacks a realistic timeline for implementing the changes.
Despite its beauty, the garden lacks the diversity of native plants it once supported.
Henrik argued that the city lacks adequate public transport for its growing population.
- be without
neutral register, less formal
- be deprived of
stronger, suggests hardship caused by the absence
文法句型
lack + noun phrase
用法筆記
In this formal sense, the simple present tense 'lacks' is more common than 'is lacking'. The subject is typically an institution, system, or abstract entity rather than a person.
常見錯誤
lacking — noun
1. The state or condition of not having enough of something that is needed or expec
The state or condition of not having enough of something that is needed or expected, especially when this causes problems.
The lacking of basic supplies made daily life very difficult for the refugees.
the + lacking + of + noun phrase
A general lacking of communication between departments caused many costly delays.
The report identifies a serious lacking of affordable childcare in the region.
Sumin was concerned about the lacking of green spaces in the new housing plan.
The lacking of proper safety equipment led to several minor accidents on site.
- abundance
a large quantity of something
- sufficiency
an adequate amount
文法句型
the + lacking + of + noun
用法筆記
This noun form is much less common than the noun 'lack'. It is primarily used in formal written English, especially in reports and academic contexts. The noun 'lack' is strongly preferred in everyday speech and writing.
常見錯誤
2. Something that is absent or not available when needed; a deficiency or shortcomi
Something that is absent or not available when needed; a deficiency or shortcoming that prevents something from being complete or satisfactory.
The government promised to address the many shortcomings in the education system.
plural: shortcomings
Volunteers worked hard to identify the deficiencies that the shelter still had.
The committee listed several gaps that needed attention before the opening.
After the storm, the town's main shortages were food, water, and medical help.
- shortcoming
the standard word for a fault or failure to meet a standard
- deficiency
a lack of something necessary for completeness
文法句型
shortcomings/deficiencies/gaps in + noun phrase
用法筆記
The noun 'lacking' is very rarely used as a countable noun in modern English. For specific missing items or faults, 'shortcoming', 'deficiency', 'gap', or 'shortage' are far more natural and widely used.