an average deficit of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an average deficit of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing financial, academic, or performance-related contexts where a mean value of a shortfall is being described. Example: "The report indicated an average deficit of $5,000 over the last three years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

J.P. Morgan expects Latin America to run an average current-account deficit of 4.2% of GDP this year, compared with an average deficit of 2.5% in Eastern Europe.

The Economist

Budget balances in emerging market and middle-income economies deteriorated sharply, forcing the IMF to downgrade its forecasts from an average deficit of 2.4% of GDP in 2014 to 4.5% in 2015.

The Guardian - Business

Corporate Japan has run an average surplus over the past three years of no less than 6.2% of GDP, compared with an average deficit of 2.3% in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Economist

Since 2002 American firms have had an average net financial surplus of 1.7% of GDP, compared with an average deficit of 1.2% of GDP in the previous two decades (see chart).

The Economist

A 2005 report from JPMorgan Research noted with concern that, since 2002, American corporations on average ran a net financial surplus of 1.7 percent of the gross domestic product — a drastic change from the previous 40 years, when they had maintained an average deficit of 1.2 percent of G.D.P.

The New York Times

Each was associated with an average deficit of 800kcals and 35 g protein per episode.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The regions ended 2011 with an average deficit equivalent to 2.94 percent of G.D.P., compared with a target of 1.3 percent.

The New York Times

The result has been a significant and sustained contraction in private demand, reflected in a sharp and unprecedented swing in the gap between private saving and investment from an average deficit (investment exceeding saving) of $267 billion in 2005-7 to an average surplus of $789 billion in 2008-11.

The New York Times

The regions ended 2011 with an average deficit equivalent to 2.9 percent of gross domestic product, unchanged from the year before and more than double the goal of 1.3 percent.

The New York Times

Although it was a difficult weekend for the team, the car lacking downforce and slower than the McLarens despite Suzuka being a power circuit, Palmer's qualifying performance was one of his better ones - his margin of 0.264secs was only the fifth time all season he has been closer to Nico Hulkenberg than half a second, and way better than his average deficit of more than 0.6secs.

BBC

First, the average deficit of advanced economies as a share of GDP will fall to half of its 2009 level at the peak of the crisis.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an average deficit of", ensure you specify the units being measured (e.g., dollars, percentage points, etc.) to provide clarity and context to your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "an average deficit of" without specifying what is creating the deficit. Provide clear context to help your audience understand the significance of the deficit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an average deficit of" functions as a descriptor quantifying the typical amount of a shortage or deficiency. As Ludwig AI explains, it's commonly used to discuss financial, academic, or performance-related shortcomings. This phrase serves to provide a sense of scale of a repeated shortfall.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an average deficit of" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, though not exceedingly common. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively quantifies a typical shortfall and is primarily used in news, scientific, and business contexts. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to specify the units being measured for clarity. While alternatives like "a typical shortfall of" and "the mean shortage of" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance desired. Despite its correctness, avoid using it without providing a clear context for the deficit's existence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the mean shortage of

Replaces "average deficit" with "mean shortage", focusing on the lack of something.

a typical shortfall of

Substitutes "average deficit" with "typical shortfall", emphasizing the usual underperformance.

the usual insufficiency of

Replaces "average deficit" with "usual insufficiency", highlighting the recurring inadequacy.

a common inadequacy of

Substitutes "average deficit" with "common inadequacy", stressing the widespread lack.

the median deficiency of

Replaces "average" with "median" for a statistically different measure of central tendency.

a typical lack of

Replaces "average deficit" with "typical lack", simplifying the phrase to express a usual absence.

the habitual paucity of

Replaces "average deficit" with "habitual paucity", using more formal language for a recurring scarcity.

a recurring insufficiency in

Replaces "average deficit" with "recurring insufficiency", highlighting the repeated inadequacy.

the characteristic undersupply of

Substitutes "average deficit" with "characteristic undersupply", emphasizing the typical insufficient supply.

a consistent scarcity of

Replaces "average deficit" with "consistent scarcity", focusing on the persistent lack of something.

FAQs

How can I use "an average deficit of" in a sentence?

You can use "an average deficit of" to describe a typical shortfall or deficiency. For example, "The company reported "an average deficit of" $1 million in sales this quarter".

What phrases are similar to "an average deficit of"?

Similar phrases include "a typical shortfall of", "the mean shortage of", or "a common inadequacy of". These alternatives can provide variety to your writing.

Is it better to use "mean deficit" or "average deficit"?

Both "mean deficit" and "average deficit" are acceptable. "Average" is generally more accessible, while "mean" is more statistically precise. The choice depends on your audience and the context.

What's the difference between "an average deficit of" and "a budget deficit of"?

"An average deficit of" refers to a typical shortfall over a period, whereas "a budget deficit of" specifies the shortfall in a particular budget. The former is a trend, the latter a specific instance.