a major shortage of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major shortage of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant lack or deficiency of something, often in contexts related to resources, supplies, or personnel. Example: "The region is facing a major shortage of clean drinking water, which has raised concerns among local authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Cyclone Yasi which hit in 2011, caused a major shortage of bananas and exorbitant prices – but in spring, they're at their best.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"There will be a major shortage of capacity for UK business travellers seeking to trade with one of the world's fastest growing economies".

The Guardian - Business

Currently there is a major shortage of such properties because they don't fit in well with current top-down planning policies.

The Guardian

A mixture of environmental issues – toxic algae bloom in Chile, an outbreak of lice in Norway, cold weather restricting growth – has resulted in a major shortage of salmon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In my most recent post, I made light of the argument that the Affordable Care Act would lead to a major shortage of physicians in this country.

The New York Times

The doctor said that he and his colleagues had been triaging the wounded and dying because they faced a major shortage of medical supplies and equipment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"There's a fairly major shortage of homegrown nurses.

The Guardian

The policy was introduced against a backdrop of a major shortage in qualified health staff.

Human Resources for Health

However, the major shortage of SA is that its efficiency for finding the global optimum is unsatisfactory.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

However, low thermal conductivity of phase-change material (PCM) is the major shortage of latent heat thermal energy storage.

Solar Energy

These findings about the state of residency training in China are relevant to the major shortage of surgical output currently facing the country.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "a major shortage of" something, clearly identify the consequences of this shortage to emphasize the severity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a major shortage of" to describe minor or temporary inconveniences. This phrase should be reserved for situations where the lack has significant, widespread effects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major shortage of" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It signifies a substantial deficiency in something, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major shortage of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a significant deficiency or lack. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While similar phrases like "significant deficit of" or "critical scarcity of" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. It's crucial to reserve this phrase for situations with substantial impact to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant deficit of

Replaces "shortage" with "deficit", emphasizing a lack or insufficiency.

critical scarcity of

Uses "scarcity" instead of "shortage", highlighting the limited availability and importance.

severe deficiency of

Employs "deficiency" to indicate an inadequacy or lack of something essential.

substantial absence of

Focuses on the complete or near-complete lack of something.

acute inadequacy of

Highlights the insufficient quantity or quality of something needed.

marked shortfall in

Replaces "shortage" with "shortfall", emphasizing the gap between what is needed and what is available.

notable dearth of

Uses "dearth" to convey a severe lack or scarcity, often in a more formal tone.

pronounced lack of

Emphasizes that the absence is easily noticeable or significant.

considerable inadequacy in

Focuses on the insufficient capacity or quantity of something.

serious deficit in

Uses "deficit" instead of "shortage", underlining the extent to which something falls short.

FAQs

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

Use "a major shortage of" to describe a significant lack or deficiency of something. For example, "The country is facing "a major shortage of doctors" in rural areas".

What phrases are similar to "a major shortage of"?

Similar phrases include "significant deficit of", "critical scarcity of", or "severe deficiency of". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a major shortage of" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and direct way to communicate a significant lack or deficiency, as supported by its presence in news articles, scientific publications, and business reports.

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

The phrase "a major shortage of" emphasizes the severity and impact of the shortage, indicating that the lack is significant and likely to have widespread consequences. "A shortage of" is a more general term that doesn't necessarily imply the same level of severity.