critical dearth of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critical dearth of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a significant lack or shortage of something important or necessary. Example: "The report highlighted a critical dearth of resources in the education sector, which is affecting student performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In what can be characterized as an epidemiological worst case scenario, the 2014 Ebola outbreak West Africa struck at the crossroads of three countries where the devastating legacy of bloody civil wars, extreme poverty, lack of international investment in public health infrastructure, and a critical dearth of health care professionals left the health care system in total shambles.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"What that means is that every shooting has been a good shooting, and that the police have never done anything wrong, and if you believe that, I have a bridge I can sell you," said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, who has been sharply critical of the dearth of police prosecutions.

The New York Times

What's more, Preston shadowed True Blood director Scott Winant on the finale episode, as she is critical of the dearth of female directors in the male-dominated industry and hopes for a future as an episodic director.

Huffington Post

It is a dearth of critical thinking, contingency planning and discipline that has brought us to our present sorry state.

The New York Times

Despite a dearth of critical basic resources, these educators are committed to establishing a supportive relationship with my daughter that will enable her to flourish academically.

Huffington Post

They chose to live in L.A. instead of New York precisely because there was a dearth of critical discourse and gallery infrastructure.

Los Angeles Times

While conservation planning has been largely informed by neutral genetic structure, there has been a dearth of critical information regarding the role of non-neutral or functional genetic variation.

Evolutionary Applications

In such a comprehensive text, the dearth of surgical critical care is conspicuous, with a single chapter devoted to traumatically injured patients.

Critical Care

Some were concerned by a dearth of skills in critical areas, not least the leadership of major projects.

The Guardian

Although these aspects are well-known to clinicians, there is a dearth of organized and critical studies in the AN field on resistance to treatment and motivational therapies.

BMC Psychiatry

The situation is all the more critical, the organisation suggests, because of a dearth of existing specialist provision for vulnerable women from BME groups.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "critical dearth of" when you want to emphasize that the lack of something is crucial and has serious consequences. For instance, "There is a critical dearth of funding for this vital research project."

Common error

Avoid using "critical dearth of" in casual conversation or informal writing. It sounds overly formal and can come across as pretentious. Simpler phrases like "serious lack of" or "major shortage of" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical dearth of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a severe lack or shortage. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used to emphasize the significant absence of something important, as seen in the example, "a critical dearth of health care professionals."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "critical dearth of" signifies a significant and crucial lack of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English. While grammatical correct, it is more suited to formal contexts. It frequently appears in news, scientific, and academic sources to emphasize a severe deficiency. Alternatives such as "severe lack of" or "significant shortage of" may be more appropriate for informal settings. When using this phrase, consider the audience and context to ensure the level of formality aligns with the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe lack of

Emphasizes the intensity of the deficiency.

significant shortage of

Highlights the notable inadequacy.

acute scarcity of

Suggests a sudden and urgent lack.

dire insufficiency of

Implies a grave and pressing inadequacy.

critical absence of

Focuses on the complete lack of something essential.

marked deficiency in

Points out a noticeable inadequacy.

substantial deficit of

Indicates a considerable shortfall.

glaring inadequacy of

Emphasizes how obvious the lack is.

paucity of essential

Highlights the limited number of essentials available.

deficiency of vital

Refers to an important lack of what is needed.

FAQs

What does "critical dearth of" mean?

The phrase "critical dearth of" means a significant and crucial lack or shortage of something. The word "critical" emphasizes the importance of what is missing.

How can I use "critical dearth of" in a sentence?

You can use "critical dearth of" to highlight a severe lack of something essential. For example, "The study revealed a critical dearth of skilled workers in the region."

What can I say instead of "critical dearth of"?

Alternatives include "severe lack of", "significant shortage of", or "acute scarcity of". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "critical shortage" or "critical dearth"?

Both phrases convey a serious lack, but "critical dearth" is more formal and emphasizes a more profound deficiency. "Critical shortage" is more commonly used in general contexts, while "critical dearth" is more appropriate for academic or formal writing.