what's the difference between lack and be short of

[chance22]

I'm wondering if there is big difference between "lack" and "be short of". For example, I want to say "I lack the opportunity to practise English listening and speaking", and then is it possible for me to say "I'm short of the opportunity to practise English listening and speaking"?

 

[JMurray]

I'm wondering if there is big difference between "lack" and "be short of". For example, I want to say "I lack the opportunity to practise English listening and speaking", and then is it possible for me to say "I'm short of the opportunity to practise English listening and speaking"?


1) "I lack the opportunity to practise"
means that you have no opportunity to do so.

2) "I'm short of opportunities to practise"
means that there are opportunities, but not enough of them.

3) "I'm short of the opportunity to practise"
perhaps this is not so natural, but would probably mean 1).

4) "I lack (or I'm lacking) opportunities to practise"
I feel that this could mean the same as 1) or 2) and is not precise.

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not a teacher