Can we use "short of ..." when talking of some trait? For example: He is short of fantasy / intellect / good sense / firmness ... and so on. Or would it be better to say "He has a lack of ..." ?

Liza

Can we use "short of ..." when talking of some trait? For example: He is short of fantasy / intellect / good sense / firmness ... and so on. Or would it be better to say "He has a lack of ..." ? Thank you.

2012年2月10日 11:43

解答 · 13

"short of" is perfect.

2012年2月10日

Usually people say "short on", rather than "short of", in that context. You might say "we are short of our goal". To say someone has a "lack of" something would be a little more formal.

2012年2月10日