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Carina
How to use “lack” properly?
How to use “lack” properly?As far as I know,“lack” is a verb and noun.The “teacher” just told us :①(when it is a verb):lack (for) sth. ②(when it is a noun):(a)lack of sth ... for lack of
Can I write “ I lack of sth. ”when“ lack” is a verb ?Can I use ”of“ when it is a verb?whether I must write “I lack sth or I lack for sth“?
Can I say :”I lack of time to study ?“ A British told me :”you can say “ I lack of sth”. I was frightened:“Are you sure that I can use “of”?My high school teacher told me that I could not use ”of“ when lack is a verb.And then he was hesitant. I asked an American black person ,too.Even he wasnt sure that ”lack“ is a noun.I was frightened again.
Tonight a British told me ”no lack for“ .I was frightened again.
I want to know how to use “lack” properly?Could you please tell me?Thanks!
Mar 17, 2017 3:41 PM
Answers · 6
1
At least in America, "lack of" is only used when it's a noun. For example "There's a real lack of enthusiasm among the students."
When it's used as a verb, it's mostly used alone (without "for"). For example "You lack the necessary qualifications for this job." "For" can be used when it's a verb, however it's very formal. You find it a lot in old books. For example "He lacks for confidence when speaking to women." (I suspect this might also be the case with "lack of" as a verb, but I've never heard it or read it. So It must be extremely formal.)
March 17, 2017
1
You use "of" when lack is a noun. Just keep that rule in mind and you won't make that awkward mistake.
Also, don't worry about the speakers who were doubtful about the phrase - it just means they hadn't thought about it properly.
March 17, 2017
How to .... is not a question.
Can someone tell me how to ...? - a question.
How do you use "lack" properly? - a question.
oh,thank you! And so I cannot write "of" when lack is a verb ."For" can be used when it's a verb, however it's very formal. You find it a lot in old books. For example "He lacks for confidence when speaking to wom
March 18, 2017
See Peachey's fine answer
“ I lack of something ”when“ lack” is a verb ? - no
“I lack something" - yes
A British guy told me
“ I lack of sth”. - no
Tonight a British guy/person told me
BTW: How to .... is not a question.
How to use "lack" properly is a mystery to me. - A statement.
Can someone tell me how to ...? - a question.
How do you use "lack" properly? - a question.
March 17, 2017
I agree with DR Hall. Usually we use "lack of" as a noun.
e.g There is a lack of parking space in town.
If you want to use " lack" as a verb- you can use the word alone.
e.g They lacked the courage to fight back.
Personally, I can't remember ever using "lack for" but I'm sure i have used " for lack of ..." a lot.
March 17, 2017
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Carina
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), Chinese (Other), English, French
Learning Language
English, French
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