Eight out of ten times, students of mine misused the word 'lack'. They always attached the preposition 'of' to it whenever they used it in their sentences. 'Lack' can be used as a noun and as a verb. But when used in different parts of speech, the sentence formations, of course, differ. Next time when you're using the word 'lack', watch out for the differences.
Lack as a verb
A. Lack (vt) [NO PASSIVE] - to have none or not enough (缺少; 沒有)
For example:
1. I don't seem to lack anything. (我好像什麼也不缺.) True! The present me doesn't lack anything. I've got a shelther and three meals a day. I can get up at the time I desire. I can surf the Internet until late in the night. I can choose to go out or to stay home. What else should I ask for?
2. I lack confidence especially when speaking Korean in front of Koreans. How I wish I could master the language. At least, I hope that I can speak out my mind with greater ease.
3. The government lacks evidence to charge the Mongkok 'bomb' maniac despite installing the 'sky eyes'.
4. Hong Kong lacks English teachers. When reading the job ads, you can always find vacancies waiting for English teachers to fill up. Don't understand where the English teachers have gone.
B. Lack (vi) - 缺少; 不足; 沒有 [(+for)]
For example:
1. Due to birth control, most couples have either one or the most two kids. Most of them would do their utmost to satisfy their kids' wants. Thus, the 'happy' kids today lack for nothing (什麼都不缺少). Honestly, I don't think this is good for the kids' healthy development. What do you think?
2. Those 'food tais' (rich men's wives) seem to lack for nothing (什麼都不缺) but they don't seem to be as happy as they should. Why?
Lack as a noun [U, sing] ~ (of something) the state of not having something or not having enough of something (欠缺; 不足; 沒有)
For example:
1. People always complain about the declining English level of our younger generation. I guess one of the factors for such a decline is the lack of an English speaking environment.
2. There is a lack of volunteer helpers in Kadoorie Farm. If you're interested in spreading the goodwill of environmental conservation, I invite you to join our league.
3. My trip to Korea was cancelled through lack of (= because there was not enough) money. If I had had money, I would have flown there in March.
P.S.
To contrast the two, please look at the following pairs of sentences and you'll be able to understand the use of the word more.
1. Hong Kong lacks natural resources. (vt)
2. There is a lack of natural resources in Hong Kong. (n)
3. The school lacks funding to develop the project. (vt)
4. The school cannot develop the project due to a lack of funding. (n)
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AhKim 2009-06-16 12:17
Vickie 2009-06-15 22:36
Kim,
Thanks for your support. It's always heart-warming to know that you're remembered. I guess your Miss Lam feels the same on hearing that you still hold her dear in your heart. I don't know how many of my students consider me a good English teacher but I can say I've done my best when I was one.
There's no way to please all but at least I feel no qualms upon self-examination and sleep the sleep of the just (豈能盡如人意，但求問心無愧.)
AhKim 2009-06-15 14:49