a significant deficit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant deficit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a notable shortfall or lack in a particular area, such as finance, resources, or performance. Example: "The company reported a significant deficit in its quarterly earnings, prompting a review of its budget and expenditures."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Treasury still faces a significant deficit.

The Guardian - Opinion

That is odd given BHS's pension scheme had a significant deficit and needed to be restructured.

The Guardian - Business

In 2008-9, the Met had a significant deficit, as did many other institutions.

The New York Times - Arts

In addition, the MD and nucleus accumbens have shown a significant deficit in total neuron number.

Journal of Psychiatric Research

"It was a significant deficit, and it was only going to get worse," Mr. Peters said in an interview.

The New York Times

This is the second time in less than two years that the center has faced a significant deficit.

The New York Times

This gives manufacturing sales a lift and helps the balance of payments, which is in a significant deficit currently.

The Guardian - Business

However in all cases, biochemical analysis of the tissue revealed a significant deficit in the collagen content.

Matrix Biology

"As the membership declined, the bequests declined," the suit says, "and the church, year after year, was running at a significant deficit".

The New York Times

A significant deficit of ISAs compared to healthy subjects was present in FDRs at a cluster level (p < 0.05) in centroparietal regions (Fig. 3, top row).

Nature

The investigation of the length of daily activity revealed a significant deficit in terms of the offset of the activity in Afh mutants.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant deficit", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking and the impact of that deficiency. For instance, specify "a significant deficit in funding" or "a significant deficit in skilled labor".

Common error

Avoid using "a significant deficit" when the shortfall is minor or inconsequential. Overstating the severity can undermine your credibility and the seriousness of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant deficit" functions as a noun phrase, where "significant" modifies the noun "deficit". It serves to describe a notable lack or shortage of something, often in financial, resource, or performance contexts, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a significant deficit" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression across various domains, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys a notable lack or shortage, suitable for formal and neutral communication. Ludwig examples show that it is prevalent in scientific, news, and business contexts, signaling its broad applicability. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is lacking and the implications of the deficit. Remember that while common, overstating the impact of the deficit can undermine credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable shortfall

Indicates a notable lack, similar to "a significant deficit" but may imply a smaller degree of deficiency.

a marked deficiency

Emphasizes the noticeable absence or lack of something, comparable to "a significant deficit" in terms of impact.

a substantial inadequacy

Highlights the insufficiency or unacceptability of something, similar to the implications of "a significant deficit".

a major shortage

Focuses on the lack of availability, akin to "a significant deficit" when referring to resources or supplies.

a critical shortage

Implies an urgent and severe lack, emphasizing the severity of "a significant deficit" in essential areas.

a pronounced absence

Highlights the clear and obvious lack of something, mirroring the conspicuous nature of "a significant deficit".

a notable insufficiency

Indicates that something is clearly not enough, like "a significant deficit" implies a lack of necessary resources.

a considerable want

Emphasizes a strong need or lack, comparable to the implications of "a significant deficit" in terms of required resources.

a serious scarcity

Highlights the limited availability of something, similar to "a significant deficit" in contexts of limited resources.

an important lapse

Indicates a failure to meet a standard or expectation, reflecting the shortfall implied by "a significant deficit".

FAQs

How can I use "a significant deficit" in a sentence?

You can use "a significant deficit" to describe a substantial lack or shortfall in something. For example, "The company reported "a significant deficit" in its annual budget."

What can I say instead of "a significant deficit"?

You can use alternatives like "a considerable shortfall", "a marked deficiency", or "a substantial inadequacy" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a significant deficit" in formal writing?

Yes, "a significant deficit" is suitable for formal writing. It is commonly used in business, academic, and news contexts to describe a notable lack or deficiency.

What's the difference between "a significant deficit" and "a minor shortfall"?

"A significant deficit" implies a substantial and impactful lack, while "a minor shortfall" indicates a smaller, less consequential deficiency. The choice depends on the degree of the shortage you wish to convey.