[Grammar] Lack / Lack for

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Mr.Lucky_One

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2 sentences:

1. "Thanks that you've offered your help but I don't lack anything."
2. "Thanks that you've offered your help but I don't lack for anything."

Which one is right?
 
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Chicken Sandwich

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Do you understand the difference between correct and true?
 

5jj

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1. "Thanks that you've offered your help but I don't lack anything."
2. "Thanks that you've offered your help but I don't lack for anything."
Both are possible; we are more likely to say, "Thanks for offering to help, ...".
 

Barb_D

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As for the main point of your question, as an American, I'd say
Thanks for your offer to help, but I don't need anything.
 
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Raymott

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I'll bite the bullet and say that "I don't lack anything" is far more common in AusE.
 

5jj

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As for the main point of your question, as an American, I'd say
Thanks for your offer to help, but I don't need anything.
I'll bite the bullet and say that "I don't lack anything" is far more common in AusE.
As a speaker of BrE, I'll go with Barb.
 
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probus

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I agree that don't need has largely replaced lack at least on this side of the pond.

But to come back to the original question, lack and lack for are I think equally intelligible in spite of the redundancy of for.
 

Barb_D

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If I had to use the word lack, I would not say "I don't lack anything" but rather "I lack nothing."

I agree the "for" optional and woukd not confuse the meaning whether it was included or omitted.
 

emsr2d2

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I would go with "Thanks for your offer of help" (rather than "to help") but would also end it differently.

Thanks for your offer of help but I don't need any.
 

BobK

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:up: People may say it, but I'm inclined to think that when they say 'lack for' they mean 'want for'( which means 'not to have...'). The expression 'want for' sounds a bit archaic, and often collocates (in idioms where it still survives) with a negative: 'Marry me and you'll want for nothing.'

b
 

BobK

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:up: People may say it, but I'm inclined to think that when they say 'lack for' they mean 'want for'( which means 'not to have/suffer because of not having ...'). The expression 'want for' sounds a bit archaic, and often collocates (in idioms where it still survives) with a negative: 'Marry me and you'll want for nothing.'

b
 
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