acute lack of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acute lack of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a significant or severe deficiency in something. Example: "The report highlighted an acute lack of resources in the department, which hindered progress on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It's true," says a humanitarian worker, "but there is an acute lack of planning and supervision".

The Guardian

Due to an acute lack of bicep, my armband has long since slipped off my arm and been lost.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Acute lack of credit is also Felix Magath's problem at Schalke, albeit in a more literal sense.

The Guardian - Sport

Such a commitment could have a profound effect on the fight against AIDS by overcoming an acute lack of resources in the poorest and hardest-hit countries.

The New York Times

Though obviously not comparable to a strip club, planting a large new mosque directly on that site would nonetheless show an acute lack of sensitivity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clapson, 59, who had diabetes, died in his flat in Stevenage on 20 July 2013, from diabetic ketoacidosis (caused by an acute lack of insulin).

The Guardian

Obstinate, they try to make the facts fit the ideology: there is no shortage of people for jobs, just an acute lack of jobs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Oxygen is the main factor of damage, that is, its acute lack in the phase of ischaemia and toxicity in the reperfusion phase.

BioMed Research International

The staff in the ED at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital continue to face the health care challenges of HIV on a daily basis: the difficulties of diagnosis and testing in the acute setting, lack of knowledge, and fear of open discussion due to stigma.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Furthermore, these tests have low accuracy under certain conditions, such as in the early stages of dementia, in advanced age, in the presence of acute illness, lack of co-operation or death, severe sensory deficits and/or associated mental disorders, and for screening in populations with low levels of education and literacy [ 3– 5].

BMC Geriatrics

Staff working in acute hospitals report lack of knowledge, skills and confidence in caring for people with dementia.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acute lack of", consider the context and ensure that the deficiency is genuinely significant. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "acute lack of" for minor inconveniences or trivial shortages. The term implies a serious and pressing need, not just a slight inconvenience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acute lack of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI explains, it emphasizes a significant deficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acute lack of" is a noun phrase used to emphasize a significant or severe deficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It's most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts to highlight urgent needs or serious problems. When writing, remember that using "acute lack of" is appropriate when describing truly significant shortages, and you can replace it with alternatives like "severe deficiency of" or "critical shortage of" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe deficiency of

Emphasizes the intensity of the lack, similar to "acute".

critical shortage of

Highlights the urgency and potential consequences of the lack.

serious deficit of

Focuses on the insufficiency and negative impact of the lack.

marked absence of

Stresses the noticeable non-existence of something.

pronounced scarcity of

Indicates a limited availability, emphasizing the rarity.

dire need for

Shifts the focus to the urgent requirement resulting from the lack.

glaring omission of

Highlights the obvious and conspicuous nature of the missing element.

substantial inadequacy of

Focuses on the insufficient amount or quality available.

palpable dearth of

Emphasizes the tangible and easily perceived lack.

extreme insufficiency of

Highlights the intensity of inadequacy.

FAQs

How can I use "acute lack of" in a sentence?

You can use "acute lack of" to describe a severe deficiency. For example, "The country is facing an "acute lack of" clean water due to the drought".

What are some alternatives to "acute lack of"?

Alternatives include "severe deficiency of", "critical shortage of", or "serious deficit of" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "acute lack of" and "chronic lack of"?

"Acute lack of" refers to a sudden and severe deficiency, whereas "chronic lack of" refers to a long-lasting or persistent deficiency.

When is it appropriate to use "acute lack of" instead of simply "lack of"?

Use "acute lack of" when you want to emphasize the severity and urgency of the deficiency. It's appropriate when the lack has significant negative consequences.