Meaning
The absence or insufficient amount of something
Primary Function
Noun phrase quantifier (collocation)
Communicative Purpose
To point out a shortage
Pattern
a lack of
Core Structure
a lack of
Função primária
Noun phrase quantifier (collocation)
Propósito comunicativo
To point out a shortage
Situações de gatilho
Problem analysis, criticism, reports
Contextos
Academic, professional, everyday
Padrão
a lack of
Estrutura central
a lack of
Slots de substituição
Any noun phrase (e.g., funds, evidence, understanding, resources, support)
Colocados típicos
- funds
- evidence
- understanding
- resources
- support
Substituições comuns
- shortage of
- an absence of
- insufficient
Erros comuns
lack of (article missing in many contexts); a lack in
Similar / contraste
a shortage of, an absence of, a deficiency in
Interferências
Use 'of' not 'in' when direct object follows lack.
Família do chunk
- a shortage of
- an absence of
- a deficiency in
Nuance
Neutral, factual.
Efeito pragmático
Highlights deficiency.
Dica de memória
The failure was due to a lack of planning.
Nota
Commonly used in formal and informal contexts to express a shortage or deficiency.
Upgrade path
not enough → insufficient → a critical lack of
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