cover the gap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cover the gap" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which one seeks to address a shortfall or deficiency. For example, "We need to cover the gap in our budget or risk losing out on essential services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As wages failed to keep pace with living costs, personal debt increased to cover the gap.

The Guardian - Opinion

We will help you cover the gap between your family's resources and the cost of attendance.

Harvard University

So they made Patches a new "skull" to cover the gap.

The New York Times - Science

Starting Sunday, when Miller races a slalom in Austria, he has 39 chances to cover the gap.

The New York Times - Sports

The extra payments from the state are meant to cover the gap between benefits and the Federal minimum wage.

The New York Times

Chief among them are its provisions to help Medicare recipients pay for prescription drugs, to help cover the gap known as the "doughnut hole".

The New York Times

And a positive cash cycle means you need enough money to cover the gap between paying your suppliers and receiving your income.

Independent

With a gap of about $15,000, they said that would cover the gap for nearly 3,500 new electric cars.

The Guardian

Its mission was to become an engine of technological change that would cover the gap between fundamental discoveries and their military use.

The New York Times

In addition, they would establish a $50m fund to cover the gap between the cost of petrol cars and electric vehicles for government and NGO fleets.

The Guardian

One choice, Mr. McCormac said, was using the bulk of the state's half-billion-dollar reserve fund to help cover the gap.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cover the gap", ensure the context clearly indicates what gap is being addressed. Be specific about the resources or methods being used to bridge that gap for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "cover the gap" without specifying what the gap is. Ensure the sentence provides sufficient context to understand the deficiency being addressed; otherwise, your writing risks being vague and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cover the gap" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action taken to address a deficiency or shortage. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it often describes efforts to bridge a difference, whether financial, operational, or conceptual.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cover the gap" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe efforts to address a shortfall or deficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate in various contexts, especially in news, academic, and scientific writing. While versatile, it’s essential to clearly define the gap being addressed to avoid vagueness. Alternative phrases like "bridge the divide" or "make up the difference" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Overall, "cover the gap" is a reliable and readily understood phrase for conveying the act of filling a need or shortage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make up the difference

Focuses on compensating for a specific deficit.

supply the deficiency

Focuses on providing what is lacking.

rectify the shortage

Implies correcting a lack of something.

bridge the divide

Emphasizes connecting two disparate entities or viewpoints.

remedy the inadequacy

Stresses fixing a flaw or imperfection.

compensate for the loss

Addresses a negative outcome and the need to make amends.

fill the void

Highlights the act of occupying an empty space or meeting an emotional need.

close the breach

Highlights securing a vulnerability.

offset the imbalance

Suggests counteracting an existing disproportion.

counteract the deficit

Implies acting against a negative shortfall to neutralize it.

FAQs

How can I use "cover the gap" in a sentence?

You can use "cover the gap" to describe actions taken to address a shortage, deficit, or deficiency. For example, "The grant will help "cover the gap" in funding for the project".

What are some alternatives to saying "cover the gap"?

Some alternatives to "cover the gap" include "bridge the divide", "make up the difference", or "fill the void" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "cover the gap" or "address the gap"?

Both "cover the gap" and "address the gap" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Cover the gap" suggests filling a specific shortage, while "address the gap" implies a broader approach to dealing with the issue. The better choice depends on the intended meaning.

What does it mean to "cover the gap" in financial terms?

In financial contexts, "cover the gap" typically means to provide enough money or resources to make up for a shortfall or deficit. This could involve securing additional funding, cutting expenses, or reallocating existing resources.