a critical shortage of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a critical shortage of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant lack or deficiency of something essential or necessary. Example: "The region is facing a critical shortage of clean drinking water, which poses serious health risks to the population."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The move was welcomed by prominent mathematician Marcus du Sautoy, but critics claim it is "undeliverable" because of a critical shortage of maths teachers.

The Guardian

A. The superintendents and principals told us there is a critical shortage of substitutes.

The New York Times

Corrections officials have also told legislators of a critical shortage of guards.

The New York Times

That means larger classes, and a critical shortage of laboratory space.

The New York Times

Other activists spoke of a critical shortage of basic food items and medical equipment.

The New York Times

A critical shortage of nurses has focused attention on the current demographics of practicing nurses.

Journal of Professional Nursing

You have a critical shortage of teachers, police, librarians, largely because of pay differences with the suburbs.

The New York Times

The department promoted the 377 new sergeants last month because of what it said was a critical shortage of supervisors.

The New York Times

The country is facing a critical shortage of "chick sexers" despite a salary of almost £40,000 a year.

The Times

Uganda is grappling with a critical shortage of blood that is affecting services and putting patients' lives at risk.

The Guardian

"The US stopped our oil so our country faces a critical shortage of electricity," Mr Ri said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a critical shortage of", ensure that you clearly identify what is lacking and the potential consequences of the shortage. This provides context and emphasizes the importance of addressing the issue.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of "a critical shortage of" without providing supporting data or examples. Ensure your claims are substantiated to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a critical shortage of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and emphasizes a severe lack or deficiency. As Ludwig shows, it is frequently used to highlight problems across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

22%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a critical shortage of" is a noun phrase used to describe a severe lack of something, often highlighting urgent needs and potential negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "a severe scarcity of" or "a dire need for" can add nuance, it's crucial to substantiate claims of shortages with evidence to maintain credibility. Using the phrase effectively involves clearly identifying the lacking resource and its potential impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A severe scarcity of

Emphasizes the intensity and limited availability of something.

A dire need for

Highlights the urgency and critical importance of something required.

A profound deficit in

Stresses the significant gap or inadequacy in a particular area.

An acute lack of

Indicates a sharp and pressing absence of something.

A considerable undersupply of

Focuses on the insufficient quantity of something available.

A worrisome inadequacy of

Highlights the concerning nature of the insufficient amount of something.

Limited availability of

Emphasizes the restricted access to something.

Insufficient quantity of

Specifically addresses the inadequate amount of something.

Substantial shortfall in

Indicates a significant failure to meet a required level or amount.

Inadequate provision of

Focuses on the insufficient supply or arrangement for something.

FAQs

How do I use "a critical shortage of" in a sentence?

Use "a critical shortage of" to describe a severe lack of something necessary or essential. For example, "The hospital is facing "a critical shortage of" nurses, which is affecting patient care."

What phrases can I use instead of "a critical shortage of"?

You can use alternatives like "a severe scarcity of", "a dire need for", or "an acute lack of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a critical shortage for" instead of "a critical shortage of"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "a critical shortage" is "of". "A critical shortage for" is grammatically incorrect. Always use ""a critical shortage of"".

What is the difference between "a shortage of" and "a critical shortage of"?

"A shortage of" indicates a general lack of something. "A critical shortage of" implies the lack is severe and poses significant problems or risks. The addition of "critical" emphasizes the urgency and seriousness of the situation.