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Seraphin Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

"the lack of" vs. "the lacking of"

I've seen these two types of usage of "lack of" but am not sure of the differences between them or if one is correct, the other not.
e.g.
(a) In some cases, this may cause even more fights due to the "lack of" proper social etiquette.
(b) In some cases, this may cause even more fights due to the "lacking of" proper social etiquette.

Any help? Thank you.
  

Top answer

In some cases, this may cause even more fights due to lack of proper social etiquette. The verb form of lack needn't be turned into a gerund; lack is already a noun. He lacks proper social etiquette .

  • In some cases, this may cause even more fights due to lack of proper social etiquette.
  • The verb form of lack needn't be turned into a gerund; lack is already a noun.
  • He lacks proper social etiquette .
  • (verb) He is lacking in proper social etiquette.
  • (adjective) He is grumpy because of lack of sleep.
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2 Answers
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In some cases, this may cause even more fights due to lack of proper social etiquette.

The verb form of lack needn't be turned into a gerund; lack is already a noun.

He lacks proper social etiquette. (verb)
He is lacking in proper social etiquette. (
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Use "in" after "lacking"

He is lacking in social graces.
She is lacking in the knowledge of her country's history.

Use "of" after "lack" (as a noun)
Their lack of knowledge in how to survive the local conditions caused the death of early settlers.

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