a substantial deficit of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial deficit of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant shortfall or lack of something, often in financial, economic, or resource-related contexts. Example: "The organization is facing a substantial deficit of funds, which may impact its ability to operate effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

For all the talk of austerity, Britain still has a substantial deficit of 4.5% of GDP (worse than France, a country British people are fond of lecturing).

The Economist

In this regard, there is a substantial deficit of location-specific information on the process of autonomous adaptation in the developing world including Ethiopia (Asrat and Simane 2017a; McSweeney et al. 2010).

Ecological Processes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Although in theory they should have completed their reforms, and thus made the transition from command economies to fully functioning market economies before E.U. accession, in practice all the new CEE member states still had a substantial deficit in terms of outstanding reforms.

Forbes

The document showed "a substantial deficit" in the amount of firm money used to protect customer accounts, according to the testimony by Christine Serwinski, the firm's North American chief financial officer.

The New York Times

The document showed "a substantial deficit" in the amount of firm money used to protect customer accounts, according to the prepared testimony by Ms. Serwinski, who was planning to leave MF Global.

The New York Times

The recession we experienced was not just deeper than anything in the post-war era, it was of a different nature, caused by over-indebtedness rather than high inflation". But I am then confused about why you think the answer is to borrow more - ie, to keep running a substantial deficit over the life of this parliament?

The Guardian - Business

As previously mentioned, a default on some of its debts would have dire consequences but the prospects for sustainable financial solvency appear weak with such a substantial deficit and the habits of borrowers and lenders not much improved.

Huffington Post

Examination of LTD in 2 wk old mice also demonstrated a substantial deficit in the D36 mice.

Plosone

Its task is complicated by a lack of overhead funds from its donors which has led to a substantial deficit.

Harvard University

Administration officials, he said, were the "walking, breathing example of fiscal irresponsibility," having turned a large federal budget surplus into a substantial deficit.

The New York Times

In fact those runs were important to ensure that the home side had a substantial deficit.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial deficit of", ensure the context clearly defines what is lacking. This phrase works best when the deficiency has measurable or significant consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial deficit of" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a big lack of" or "not enough" to maintain an appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial deficit of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a significant lack or shortage of something, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples where it modifies 'information' and 'electric power'.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial deficit of" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote a significant lack or shortage. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it's most frequently found in science, news and media, and formal business contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, use this phrase to emphasize a notable deficiency, but avoid overuse in informal settings. Alternatives include "a significant shortage of" and "a considerable lack of". Overall, this phrase is best suited for professional and academic writing when describing a measurable and consequential inadequacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant shortage of

Emphasizes the lack of something necessary or required.

a considerable lack of

Highlights the noticeable absence or insufficiency of something.

a marked deficiency in

Focuses on a clear and identifiable inadequacy or imperfection.

a notable scarcity of

Stresses the limited availability or rare occurrence of something.

a pronounced absence of

Draws attention to the clear and unmistakable lack of something.

a major shortfall in

Indicates a significant failure to meet a required level or quantity.

a substantial inadequacy of

Highlights the insufficient or unsuitable nature of something.

a critical deficit in

Indicates a severe shortage that poses significant problems or risks.

a severe dearth of

Emphasizes an extreme scarcity or lack of something.

a gaping hole in

Suggests a large and conspicuous absence or omission.

FAQs

How can I use "a substantial deficit of" in a sentence?

Use "a substantial deficit of" to describe a significant lack or shortage. For example, "The company is facing "a substantial deficit of" funding."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial deficit of"?

Alternatives include "a significant shortage of", "a considerable lack of", or "a marked deficiency in", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "substantial deficit" or "significant deficit"?

Both "substantial deficit" and "significant deficit" are grammatically correct, but "substantial" implies a larger or more impactful shortage compared to "significant."

Can "a substantial deficit of" be used in any context?

"A substantial deficit of" is generally suitable for formal or semi-formal contexts, especially when discussing finances, resources, or measurable quantities. Consider the audience and purpose when choosing this phrase.