lack
lacks
lacking
lacked
Lack means to not have enough. Regular: lack-lacked-lacked.
Meanings
- To not have enough
- To be without
- To need
Common Collocations
lack of
lack confidence
lacking in
lack experience
for lack of
Tip for Learners
Lack of = absence of. For lack of = because of not having. Lacking = missing.
Present Simple
| I | lack |
| you | lack |
| he/she/it | lacks |
| we | lack |
| they | lack |
Examples - Present Simple
- I lack the technical skills needed for that position.
- You lack nothing when it comes to determination.
- She lacks confidence despite her obvious talents.
- We lack the funding to complete this ambitious project.
- They lack experience but make up for it with enthusiasm.
Present Continuous
| I | am lacking |
| you | are lacking |
| he/she/it | is lacking |
| we | are lacking |
| they | are lacking |
Examples - Present Continuous
- I am lacking motivation to complete this task today.
- You are lacking the necessary documentation for approval.
- He is lacking focus during these important meetings.
- We are lacking resources to meet the deadline.
- They are lacking critical information for the decision.
Present Perfect
| I | have lacked |
| you | have lacked |
| he/she/it | has lacked |
| we | have lacked |
| they | have lacked |
Examples - Present Perfect
- I have lacked sleep for several days running now.
- You have lacked nothing in terms of opportunities.
- She has lacked support from her supervisors all along.
- We have lacked proper guidance since the beginning.
- They have lacked the vision to see the bigger picture.
Present Perfect Continuous
| I | have been lacking |
| you | have been lacking |
| he/she/it | has been lacking |
| we | have been lacking |
| they | have been lacking |
Examples - Present Perfect Continuous
- I have been lacking energy since I got sick.
- You have been lacking direction in your career lately.
- He has been lacking motivation for several weeks now.
- We have been lacking clarity on the project goals.
- They have been lacking communication from leadership.
Past Simple
| I | lacked |
| you | lacked |
| he/she/it | lacked |
| we | lacked |
| they | lacked |
Examples - Past Simple
- I lacked the courage to speak up at the meeting.
- You lacked the resources to complete the project on time.
- She lacked experience when she first started the job.
- We lacked direction until the new manager arrived.
- They lacked the vision to see the opportunity.
Past Continuous
| I | was lacking |
| you | were lacking |
| he/she/it | was lacking |
| we | were lacking |
| they | were lacking |
Examples - Past Continuous
- I was lacking confidence during that difficult period.
- You were lacking the tools needed for the repair.
- He was lacking motivation when he failed the exam.
- We were lacking support when we needed it most.
- They were lacking clear communication from the start.
Past Perfect
| I | had lacked |
| you | had lacked |
| he/she/it | had lacked |
| we | had lacked |
| they | had lacked |
Examples - Past Perfect
- I had lacked sleep before the important presentation.
- You had lacked nothing until the budget cuts.
- She had lacked recognition before winning the award.
- We had lacked proper training before the new program.
- They had lacked coordination before the reorganization.
Past Perfect Continuous
| I | had been lacking |
| you | had been lacking |
| he/she/it | had been lacking |
| we | had been lacking |
| they | had been lacking |
Examples - Past Perfect Continuous
- I had been lacking energy for weeks before seeing a doctor.
- You had been lacking resources for months before the grant.
- He had been lacking direction before finding his mentor.
- We had been lacking funding for years before the investment.
- They had been lacking leadership before the change.
Future Simple
| I | will lack |
| you | will lack |
| he/she/it | will lack |
| we | will lack |
| they | will lack |
Examples - Future Simple
- I will lack the funds to travel abroad this year.
- You will lack nothing if you prepare thoroughly.
- She will lack the experience for that senior position.
- We will lack the time to complete everything perfectly.
- They will lack the votes to pass the legislation.
Future Continuous
| I | will be lacking |
| you | will be lacking |
| he/she/it | will be lacking |
| we | will be lacking |
| they | will be lacking |
Examples - Future Continuous
- I will be lacking sleep during finals week as usual.
- You will be lacking nothing with this comprehensive plan.
- He will be lacking support without the right team.
- We will be lacking resources if the budget is cut.
- They will be lacking options if they delay further.
Future Perfect
| I | will have lacked |
| you | will have lacked |
| he/she/it | will have lacked |
| we | will have lacked |
| they | will have lacked |
Examples - Future Perfect
- I will have lacked sleep for a week by Friday.
- You will have lacked nothing by the end of this program.
- She will have lacked support for too long by then.
- We will have lacked funding for a year by next month.
- They will have lacked direction until new leadership arrives.
Future Perfect Continuous
| I | will have been lacking |
| you | will have been lacking |
| he/she/it | will have been lacking |
| we | will have been lacking |
| they | will have been lacking |
Examples - Future Perfect Continuous
- I will have been lacking rest for weeks by the deadline.
- You will have been lacking guidance for too long by then.
- He will have been lacking support for months by review time.
- We will have been lacking resources for the entire project.
- They will have been lacking clarity for far too long.