a great shortage of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a great shortage of" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English.
It is used when a large deficiency or gap in a particular resource, item, or quantity is being discussed. Example sentence: "Due to a great shortage of hospital beds, many patients are being forced to wait hours for care."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

There is a great shortage of organs".

Independent

Nachman suddenly realized that every move a person made was to one degree or another criminal, and that there was a great shortage of punishment.

The New Yorker

Furthermore, there was a great shortage of educated and reliable persons imbued with such rationality and efficiency (a problem that bedeviled the imperial government until its end).

Encyclopedia Britannica

There must be a great shortage of school principals these days, because any young fellow with a genteel tongue in his head makes straight for the broadcasting studios.

The New Yorker

"Faced with a great shortage of energy, the government will push solid-state lighting," Wu says.

Forbes

There is a great shortage of teachers, especially those with university training, and as a result few school-leavers opt to go on to academically challenging studies.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

A spokesman said: "There is a greater shortage of parking space for residents in Kensington and Chelsea than practically anywhere else in the country.

BBC

In unregulated markets, managed care penetration was later and lower at baseline, and there was a greater shortage of MDs, stricter regulation of NP practices, greater market power concentration in the health insurance industry, lower population density and higher distance to providers, and lower utilization of endoscopy, among other things (Tables 3 and 4).

Health Economics Review

The proposed changes represent the biggest shake-up to social housing provision in decades - but campaigners fear the most vulnerable in society will lose out as they are squeezed by higher rents, cuts to housing benefit and a greater shortage of affordable rented accommodation.

BBC

In addition, Mozambique had a greater shortage of personnel and was therefore more open to external technical assistance.

Health Policy and Planning

Nasarawa is perceived as suffering a greater shortage of health workers than Ondo, and the impression is that some illegal practices may be overlooked if health workers' activities help solve the health needs of the populace.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great shortage of", ensure you specify what is lacking. Providing context makes the statement more impactful and clear.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the severity of the shortage without evidence. Overuse can diminish the phrase's credibility and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great shortage of" functions as a noun phrase functioning as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig examples show it describing deficiencies in various domains, like resources or expertise.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great shortage of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a significant lack or deficiency in various areas. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct and widely used. It commonly appears in news, scientific, and general contexts to highlight resource scarcity or other deficits. When employing the phrase, clarity is key: specify what is lacking and avoid exaggerating the shortage. Alternatives such as "a significant lack of" or "a considerable deficit of" can add nuance depending on the intended emphasis. While "a great shortage of" is generally suitable for most writing situations, consider the specific context to ensure precise language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant lack of

Emphasizes the importance of what is missing.

a considerable deficit of

Highlights the insufficiency in a more formal tone.

a marked scarcity of

Draws attention to the limited availability.

a severe deficiency of

Stresses the intensity of the lack.

a critical absence of

Indicates that the missing element is crucial.

a dire need for

Focuses on the urgency of requiring something that is lacking.

an acute inadequacy of

Points out the sharp and insufficient quantity.

a dearth of

A more concise way to express a lack, typically in formal contexts.

an undersupply of

Implies that the available amount is not meeting the demand.

limited availability of

Highlights the restricted quantity of something

FAQs

How can I use "a great shortage of" in a sentence?

You can use "a great shortage of" to describe a deficiency in resources, supplies, or personnel. For example, "There is "a great shortage of housing" in the city center."

What's the difference between "a great shortage of" and "a major shortage of"?

While both phrases indicate a deficiency, "a great shortage of" emphasizes the significant extent of the lack, whereas "a major shortage of" simply indicates it's of considerable importance or scale.

Are there synonyms for "a great shortage of"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "a significant lack of", "a considerable deficit of", or "a marked scarcity of" as alternatives to "a great shortage of".

Is it always appropriate to use "a great shortage of" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the specific context. In highly formal or scientific writing, more precise terms might be preferable, but "a great shortage of" is suitable for most neutral and professional contexts.