an acute shortage of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an acute shortage of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or severe lack of something, often in contexts related to resources, supplies, or needs. Example: "The region is facing an acute shortage of clean drinking water, which has raised concerns among local authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 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

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

The New York Times - Arts

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

The Guardian

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

The New York Times

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

Herberger had to struggle with reluctant officials and an acute shortage of equipment.

The Guardian - Sport

Tianjin, like much of northern China, has an acute shortage of it.

The Economist

"Basically, there is an acute shortage of available space across all real estate sectors".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an acute shortage of", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is lacking and the potential consequences of this deficiency. For instance, specify the resource, skill, or item that is critically needed and how its absence impacts the situation.

Common error

Avoid attributing "an acute shortage of" something to a single cause without acknowledging contributing factors. Shortages are often the result of complex interactions of supply, demand, and external forces. Present a nuanced perspective by acknowledging these multiple influences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an acute shortage of" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a critical deficiency or lack of something. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples demonstrating its role in describing various types of shortages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an acute shortage of" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that indicates a significant deficiency or lack of something. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from reliable sources. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and business contexts, conveying a neutral yet serious tone. While alternatives like "a critical scarcity of" or "a severe deficiency of" exist, "an acute shortage of" effectively emphasizes the pressing nature of the lack. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what is lacking and the potential consequences, avoiding oversimplification of the causes behind the shortage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical scarcity of

Replaces "acute shortage" with "critical scarcity", emphasizing the severity and urgency of the lack.

a severe deficiency of

Substitutes "acute shortage" with "severe deficiency", highlighting the inadequacy or incompleteness of something.

a drastic lack of

Replaces "acute shortage" with "drastic lack", indicating a significant and impactful absence.

a pronounced dearth of

Substitutes "acute shortage" with "pronounced dearth", suggesting a conspicuous and obvious scarcity.

a considerable absence of

Replaces "acute shortage" with "considerable absence", emphasizing the notable non-existence of something.

a significant deficit of

Substitutes "acute shortage" with "significant deficit", highlighting the shortfall or imbalance present.

a marked inadequacy of

Replaces "acute shortage" with "marked inadequacy", pointing out the noticeable insufficiency of something.

a glaring insufficiency of

Substitutes "acute shortage" with "glaring insufficiency", emphasizing the obvious and easily noticeable lack.

a worrisome scarcity of

Replaces "acute shortage" with "worrisome scarcity", indicating that the lack is causing concern.

a troubling absence of

Substitutes "acute shortage" with "troubling absence", highlighting the problematic nature of the missing element.

FAQs

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

Use "an acute shortage of" to describe a critical lack or deficiency of something. For example: "The hospital is facing "an acute shortage of" nurses".

What are some alternatives to "an acute shortage of"?

Alternatives include "a critical scarcity of", "a severe deficiency of", or "a drastic lack of". Each emphasizes the significant absence of something.

Is it better to say "acute shortage" or "severe shortage"?

Both "acute shortage" and "severe shortage" are correct and convey a significant lack, but "acute" often implies a more immediate and pressing need.

Can "an acute shortage of" be used for abstract concepts?

Yes, "an acute shortage of" can be used for both tangible items (like water or medicine) and abstract concepts (like funding or resources). For example: "Facing "an acute shortage of" funding and resources, we must act creatively".