acute shortage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acute shortage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a severe or critical lack of something, often in contexts such as resources, supplies, or personnel. Example: "The region is facing an acute shortage of clean drinking water, prompting emergency relief efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was an acute shortage of fuel for tractors.

The Guardian

We face an acute shortage of female health workers.

The Guardian

There is an acute shortage of such beds.

The Guardian

Their main problem is Liberia's acute shortage of labor.

The New Yorker

According to the radio this week there is an acute shortage of GPs.

The Guardian

Now the informal markets have recognized the acute shortage of small notes.

The New York Times

Facing an acute shortage of entries to his hand, South temporized by leading a third trump.

The New York Times - Arts

There is an acute shortage of skilled personnel, including Arabic and Farsi translators.

The New York Times

The acute shortage of specialist schools does not help the situation.

The Guardian

PRESIDENT BUSH has declared that, once again, the nation has an acute shortage of energy.

The New York Times

Since late last year, there has been an acute shortage of antiretroviral drugs in government facilities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acute shortage", specify what is lacking to provide context and emphasize the severity of the situation. For instance, instead of saying "There is an acute shortage", say "There is an acute shortage of medical supplies".

Common error

Avoid using "acute shortage" for minor inconveniences or easily solvable problems. Reserve it for situations where the lack has serious or potentially harmful consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acute shortage" functions as a noun phrase where "acute" modifies "shortage", emphasizing its severity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples include "acute shortage of housing" or "acute shortage of skilled workers".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acute shortage" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to describe a severe lack of something. Predominantly found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts, it serves to highlight critical situations needing immediate attention. When employing the phrase, specificity is key; clearly defining what is lacking strengthens the message. While alternatives like "severe scarcity" or "critical deficit" exist, "acute shortage" maintains a professional tone suitable for various formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe scarcity

Emphasizes the limited availability; slightly stronger in tone.

critical deficit

Highlights the insufficiency and the potential for negative consequences.

dire lack

Stresses the urgent and negative implications of the shortage.

extreme deficiency

Focuses on the inadequacy or incompleteness of something.

serious shortfall

Indicates a significant gap between what is needed and what is available.

urgent need

Highlights the pressing requirement for something that is lacking.

desperate want

Emphasizes the intensity of the desire and the lack thereof.

grave inadequacy

Stresses the seriousness and insufficiency of something.

substantial deficit

Indicates a considerable shortage or deficiency.

marked scarcity

Highlights the noticeable lack of something.

FAQs

How can I use "acute shortage" in a sentence?

You can use "acute shortage" to describe a critical lack of something. For example: "The hospital is facing an acute shortage of nurses" or "The country is experiencing an acute shortage of clean water".

What are some alternatives to "acute shortage"?

Alternatives include "severe scarcity", "critical deficit", or "dire lack", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "acute shortage" in formal writing?

Yes, "acute shortage" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing serious situations in reports, articles, or academic papers.

What distinguishes "acute shortage" from a regular "shortage"?

The word "acute" emphasizes the severity and urgency of the shortage. It implies that the lack is critical and requires immediate attention, compared to a regular shortage which might be less severe or impactful.