an ongoing shortage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ongoing shortage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a continuous lack of a particular item or resource over a period of time. Example: "The company is facing an ongoing shortage of skilled workers, which is affecting its production capacity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

But there is an ongoing shortage of minority families seeking to adopt.

The Guardian

States that carry out executions have scrambled recently to obtain the lethal injection drugs due to an ongoing shortage.

The Washington Post

The high maternal mortality rate in Sierra Leone combined with an ongoing shortage of midwives has led to the introduction of new cadres of healthcare workers.

Nurse Education Today

But part of this also relates to an ongoing shortage of lethal injection drugs, one that has left states effectively experimenting with the drugs.

The Washington Post

Several states have called off executions recently due to an ongoing shortage of lethal injection drugs, other issues involving these drugs or legal challenges.

The Washington Post

Georgia's problems with the lethal injection drugs come as an ongoing shortage of these drugs has caused states across the country to scramble.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

But for the past two years the country has experienced an acute, ongoing shortage of greenbacks.

The Guardian

The American shortfall is the main reason behind an ongoing financial shortage plaguing the U.N.

Los Angeles Times

While some states have abandoned capital punishment or been unable to carry out executions amid an ongoing drug shortage, Missouri has been an outlier.

The Washington Post

More than 100 London Midland Saturday train services are expected to be hit by an ongoing driver shortage.

BBC

The decentralized and fragmented nature of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) system in the U.S., coupled with an ongoing teacher shortage, high teacher turnover rates, and the increasing demand for early childhood (EC) teachers, has led to low entry requirements and lenient regulations for most EC sectors.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an ongoing shortage", ensure you specify what is lacking to provide context and clarity to your audience. For example, "an ongoing shortage of medical supplies".

Common error

Avoid using "an ongoing shortage" without specifying what is scarce. This can lead to ambiguity and confusion. Always clarify the resource or item that is in short supply.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing shortage" functions as a noun phrase, where "ongoing" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "shortage". It describes a continuing state of deficiency. Ludwig examples show it used across varied contexts, describing shortages of physical resources, personnel, and even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an ongoing shortage" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a persistent lack of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. To ensure clarity, specify what is lacking, for example, "an ongoing shortage of skilled workers". While alternatives like "a persistent deficit" or "a continuing scarcity" exist, "an ongoing shortage" remains a direct and widely understood expression for conveying a state of deficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a persistent deficit

Focuses on the continuous nature of the lack.

a continuing scarcity

Emphasizes the limited availability over time.

a chronic insufficiency

Highlights the long-term and inadequate supply.

a sustained inadequacy

Stresses the maintained and insufficient nature.

a prolonged absence

Highlights the length of time that something has been missing or unavailable.

a relentless dearth

Emphasizes the unyielding lack of something.

a constant shortfall

Focuses on the consistent failure to meet a required level.

a protracted inadequacy

Highlights the long duration of the insufficient supply.

an unremitting deficiency

Emphasizes the ceaseless nature of the lack.

a perpetual lack

Indicates a never-ending absence or deficiency.

FAQs

How can I use "an ongoing shortage" in a sentence?

You can use "an ongoing shortage" to describe a situation where there is a continuous lack of something. For example: "The hospital is facing "an ongoing shortage" of nurses."

What's the difference between "an ongoing shortage" and "a temporary shortage"?

"An ongoing shortage" implies that the lack of something has been present for some time and is expected to continue. "A temporary shortage" suggests that the lack is short-lived and will be resolved soon.

What can I say instead of "an ongoing shortage"?

You can use alternatives like "a persistent deficit", "a continuing scarcity", or "a chronic insufficiency" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "an ongoing shortage"?

Yes, it is correct. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase "an ongoing shortage" is grammatically sound and commonly used in formal and informal contexts.