a shortfall between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shortfall between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gap or deficiency in comparison to a standard, expectation, or requirement. Example: "There was a significant shortfall between the projected sales and the actual sales figures for the quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Comic, for me, means that there is always a shortfall between what we think of ourselves and what we are.

The New Yorker

People whose income is not subject to withholding, or who would have too great a shortfall between withholding and taxes, must pay estimated taxes each quarter.

The New York Times

There is a shortfall between output from universities and demand by the pharmaceutical and health care industries for science and engineering graduates able to rapidly contribute to success in the business environment.

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Two-thirds of the households stuck in the government's benefit cap for more than six months were found to be facing a shortfall between their monthly income and estimated costs, suggesting the policy is fuelling destitution.

The Guardian

A shortfall between government spending and income that reached £155bn in the aftermath of the banking crash was forecast in March this year to fall to £55.5bn in 2016-17.

The Guardian

"Short-term credit products are an important financial tool for individuals who need funds to pay for an unexpected expense or manage a shortfall between paychecks," the association said in a statement.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

NUS figures for the academic year just gone show a typical £8,000 a year shortfall between student living costs and their income from loans and the maintenance grant.

The Guardian

Hundreds of thousands of low-income households in Britain are facing a living standards crisis that by 2020 will see them struggling to meet a £100-a-month shortfall between rents and housing benefit payments, according to the Fabian Society.

The Guardian

Chris Dodd, the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, originally proposed that the industry pay into a $50 billion fund that would cover any shortfall between a failed firm's assets and creditors' claims.

The Economist

It was a formula set by her financial advisers and was intended to cover any shortfall between a center's operating revenues and its overall budget.

The New York Times

The NAO said the £1.7bn was not entirely wasted because some of Metronet's work, covering three-quarters of the tube network, was still beneficial, but it found there was a shortfall of between £170m and £410m in the amount taxpayers' money spent on Metronet and the value of the work done.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a shortfall between", ensure you clearly define the two elements being compared to avoid ambiguity. For example, "a shortfall between projected revenue and actual income" is more precise than simply "a shortfall".

Common error

Avoid using "a shortfall between" without specifying what is being compared. Saying "there's a shortfall" is less informative than specifying, for example, "there's a shortfall between the budget and the expenses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shortfall between" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a deficiency or deficit that exists when comparing two distinct entities or quantities, such as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a shortfall between" is a common noun phrase used to describe a deficiency or gap when comparing two distinct elements. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media sources. To ensure clarity, clearly define what two elements are being compared. Alternatives include "a discrepancy between" or "a deficit between", depending on the specific context. While versatile, avoid using this phrase without explicitly stating the items that are being compared.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a discrepancy between

Replaces "shortfall" with "discrepancy", focusing on a difference or inconsistency rather than a deficiency.

a deficit between

Substitutes "shortfall" with "deficit", implying a deficiency, especially in financial contexts.

a gap between

Replaces "shortfall" with "gap", suggesting a space or interval between two things.

a variance between

Substitutes "shortfall" with "variance", indicating a difference or deviation.

an imbalance between

Replaces "shortfall" with "imbalance", suggesting a lack of equilibrium.

a deficiency in

Focuses on the lack of something, shifting the structure to use "in" instead of "between".

a shortage of

Similar to "deficiency", but specifically highlights a scarcity or lack of supply.

a lag between

Implies a delay or time difference rather than a simple quantitative difference.

a mismatch between

Highlights the lack of correspondence or agreement between two things.

an inadequacy in

Focuses on the insufficiency or unsuitability of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a shortfall between" in a sentence?

Use "a shortfall between" to indicate a deficiency or gap when comparing two quantities or expectations. For example, "There was "a shortfall between" the funding required and the amount received".

What's the difference between "a shortfall between" and "a gap between"?

While both phrases indicate a difference, ""a shortfall between"" often implies a deficiency or inadequacy, whereas "a gap between" simply suggests a space or interval.

Which is correct, "a shortfall between X and Y" or "a shortfall of X and Y"?

"A shortfall between X and Y" is the correct construction when comparing two distinct entities. "A shortfall of X" indicates a deficiency in X itself.

What are some alternatives to "a shortfall between"?

Alternatives include "a discrepancy between", "a deficit between", or "a variance between", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.