a dearth of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a dearth of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that there is a scarcity or lack of something. For example: "There is a dearth of affordable housing in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's a dearth of quality product.

The New York Times

The Knicks have a dearth of them.

The New York Times - Sports

A dearth of jobs.

The Guardian - Opinion

A dearth of good ideas.

Harvard Business Review

A dearth of female VCs?

The Guardian

There is a dearth of emerging talent.

The New York Times - Sports

"There's a dearth of good stuff.

The Guardian

"Hospitals have a dearth of capital.

The New York Times

There is therefore not so much a dearth of leaders as a dearth of followers.

Harvard Business Review

Currently, there is a dearth of appropriate materials for ELLs.

Stanford University

Because there's a dearth of investment capital in this space.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a dearth of" to add a touch of formality and sophistication to your writing when describing a scarcity or lack of something. Be mindful of the context, as it is often used in more formal or academic settings.

Common error

Avoid using "a dearth of" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "a lack of" or "a shortage of" may be more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dearth of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, creating a noun phrase. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct. Examples show it's used to specify a lack or scarcity of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dearth of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a scarcity or lack of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While versatile, its formality makes it more suited to news, academic writing, and business contexts rather than casual conversation. Alternatives like "a scarcity of" or "a lack of" may be more appropriate in informal settings. Its frequent use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptance in formal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a scarcity of

Emphasizes rarity and insufficient quantity. It is a more general and commonly used alternative.

a lack of

Indicates a complete absence or insufficiency. It's a straightforward and versatile substitute.

an absence of

Highlights the non-existence of something. Often used in more formal or technical contexts.

a shortage of

Suggests a temporary or specific deficiency, often in supply. Commonly used for tangible items.

an inadequacy of

Focuses on the insufficiency or unsuitability of something. It implies that something is not good enough.

a deficiency of

Implies an incomplete or imperfect state. Usually used in technical or medical contexts.

an insufficiency of

Stresses that something is not sufficient to meet a need or requirement. More formal than "a lack of".

a paucity of

Indicates a small or inadequate quantity. It is a more formal and less common synonym.

a want of

Suggests a need or requirement that is not being met. It is a somewhat archaic expression.

a limited amount of

Indicates restriction. Use when referring to measurable elements.

FAQs

How can I use "a dearth of" in a sentence?

You can use "a dearth of" to describe a scarcity or lack of something. For example, "There is "a dearth of evidence" to support that claim."

What's the difference between "a dearth of" and "a lack of"?

Both phrases indicate a deficiency, but "a dearth of" is generally considered more formal and suggests a more pronounced scarcity than "a lack of".

What are some alternatives to using "a dearth of"?

You can use alternatives like "a scarcity of", "an absence of", or "a shortage of" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a dearth of" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "a dearth of" is relatively formal and might sound out of place in casual conversation. Simpler terms are usually preferred. In formal writing, it demonstrates precision.