---
title: lacking — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «lacking» in the school dictionary: Lacking means not having something you need, or not having enough of it. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# lacking

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** you, Lacking, set, She, puzzle, They · **What happens:** lack, mean, not have, need, have, buy · **To what, where:** something, enough, little, sleep, 3 cards, toy · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«lacking» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 9 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [lacking in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/lacking.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Lacking means not having something you need, or not having enough of it.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lacking:m1:1
# text = Lacking means not having something you need, or not having enough of it.
1	Lacking	lack	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
4	having	have	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	2	ccomp	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	4	obj	_	_
6	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
7	need	need	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
9	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
10	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	11	advmod	_	_
11	having	have	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	4	advcl	_	_
12	enough	enough	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	obj	_	_
13	of	of	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
14	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lack** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **not** **have** | gerund |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Patient |
| 4 | **need** | present | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Pivot |
| 5 | **not** **have** | gerund |  | enough of it |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent enough=Patient |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Lacking in something means having too little of it: lacking in sleep.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lacking:m2:1
# text = Lacking in something means having too little of it: lacking in sleep.
1	Lacking	lack	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	4	csubj	_	_
2	in	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	1	obl	_	_
4	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	having	have	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	4	ccomp	_	_
6	too	too	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	_
7	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	obj	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	11	punct	_	_
11	lacking	lack	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	5	advcl	_	_
12	in	in	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	sleep	sleep	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lack** | gerund |  |  |  | something |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **mean** | present | Lacking |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **have** | gerund |  | little of it |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent little=Patient |
| 4 | **lack** | gerund |  |  |  | sleep |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The set is lacking 3 cards.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lacking:x1:1
# text = The set is lacking 3 cards.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	set	set	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	lacking	lack	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
5	3	3	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	6	nummod	_	_
6	cards	card	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lack** | present · progressive | the set | 3 cards |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She was lacking $5 to buy the toy.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lacking:x2:1
# text = She was lacking $5 to buy the toy.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	lacking	lack	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
4	$	$	SYM	$	_	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	5	5	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	4	nummod	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	buy	buy	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	toy	toy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lack** | past · progressive | She |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **buy** | to-infinitive | She *not said here* | the toy |  |  |  |  | vn accept-77.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent toy=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The puzzle is lacking 12 pieces out of 100.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lacking:x3:1
# text = The puzzle is lacking 12 pieces out of 100.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	puzzle	puzzle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	lacking	lack	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
5	12	12	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	6	nummod	_	_
6	pieces	piece	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
7	out	out	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	100	100	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lack** | present · progressive | the puzzle | 12 pieces |  | 100 |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
They were lacking 2 players for a team of 11.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lacking:x4:1
# text = They were lacking 2 players for a team of 11.
1	They	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	lacking	lack	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
4	2	2	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	players	player	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	team	team	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
9	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	11	11	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lack** | past · progressive | They | 2 players |  |  |  | for a team of 11 | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The plant was lacking water, so its leaves drooped.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lacking:x5:1
# text = The plant was lacking water, so its leaves drooped.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	plant	plant	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	lacking	lack	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
5	water	water	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
7	so	so	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
8	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	9	nmod:poss	_	_
9	leaves	leaf	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	nsubj	_	_
10	drooped	droop	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lack** | past · progressive | the plant | water |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **droop** | past | plant's leaves |  |  |  |  |  | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The story was lacking an ending.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lacking:x6:1
# text = The story was lacking an ending.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	story	story	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	lacking	lack	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
5	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	ending	ending	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lack** | past · progressive | the story | a ending |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He felt tired because he was lacking sleep.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lacking:x7:1
# text = He felt tired because he was lacking sleep.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	felt	feel	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	tired	tired	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	xcomp	_	_
4	because	because	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
5	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
6	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	7	aux	_	_
7	lacking	lack	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	2	advcl	_	_
8	sleep	sleep	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **feel** | past | He |  |  |  |  | tired *property* | vn stimulus\_subject-30.4 «NP V ADJ»: agent=Stimulus |
| 2 | **lack** | past · progressive | he | sleep |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Nothing was lacking for the picnic.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lacking:x8:1
# text = Nothing was lacking for the picnic.
1	Nothing	nothing	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Neg	3	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	lacking	lack	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	picnic	picnic	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lack** | past · progressive | Nothing |  |  |  |  | for the picnic | tree rules |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Only thy coat is lacking before I keep my word.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lacking:x9:1
# text = Only thy coat is lacking before I keep my word.
1	Only	only	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
2	thy	thy	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs|Style=Arch	3	nmod:poss	_	_
3	coat	coat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
5	lacking	lack	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
6	before	before	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
7	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	keep	keep	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	advcl	_	_
9	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	10	nmod:poss	_	_
10	word	word	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lack** | present · progressive | thy coat |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **keep** | present | I | my word |  |  |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent word=Theme |
| 3 | **word** |  | my |  |  |  |  |  | nom word «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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