dearth of

USAGE SUMMARY

"dearth of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that there is a lack or scarcity of something, often resources. For example, "The drought has caused a dearth of food and water for the local community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Why is there this dearth of information?

The Guardian

The dearth of restaurants was no problem.

The New York Times

A dearth of jobs.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's a dearth of quality product.

The New York Times

The Knicks have a dearth of them.

The New York Times - Sports

A dearth of female VCs?

The Guardian

So why the dearth of poet applicants?

The New York Times

"There's a dearth of good stuff.

The Guardian

Certainly, there is no dearth of need.

The New York Times

"Hospitals have a dearth of capital.

The New York Times

There is no dearth of images.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "dearth of" with specific, quantifiable nouns to create a stronger impact. For example, "a dearth of qualified applicants" is more effective than simply "a dearth of applicants".

Common error

Avoid using "dearth of" in casual contexts where a simpler phrase like "lack of" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound pretentious or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dearth of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun. It indicates a deficiency or scarcity. Ludwig AI shows its usage in diverse contexts, confirming its role in highlighting a lack of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dearth of" is a prepositional phrase used to denote a significant lack or scarcity. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and formal writing. While alternatives like "lack of" exist, "dearth of" adds a more formal and emphatic tone. Remember to use it appropriately in formal contexts and be mindful of the subtle nuance it conveys. It is a prevalent expression in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of

This is a more straightforward and common way to express the same idea, lacking the somewhat formal tone of "dearth".

scarcity of

Focuses more on the limited availability of something, emphasizing its rarity.

paucity of

Similar in formality to "dearth", it also highlights a small or insufficient quantity.

shortage of

Implies a deficiency or deficit, often in a practical or measurable sense.

absence of

Indicates a complete lack of something, stronger than a mere scarcity.

insufficiency of

Highlights the inadequacy or inadequacy of something for a particular purpose.

deficiency of

Similar to insufficiency, but often used in contexts related to health or nutrition.

inadequate supply of

More descriptive, specifying that the supply is not sufficient.

limited amount of

A more general and less formal way to indicate a small quantity.

rarity of

Emphasizes the uncommon or infrequent nature of something.

FAQs

How to use "dearth of" in a sentence?

Use "dearth of" to indicate a scarcity or lack of something. For example, "There is a dearth of evidence to support that claim." You can replace it with alternatives such as "lack of" or "scarcity of" if the context is more informal.

What can I say instead of "dearth of"?

You can use alternatives like "lack of", "scarcity of", or "shortage of" depending on the context. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "dearth of" or "dearth in"?

"Dearth of" is the correct and idiomatic expression. "Dearth in" is not standard English. Always use "dearth of" to indicate a lack or scarcity.

What's the difference between "dearth of" and "lack of"?

While both phrases indicate a deficiency, "dearth of" often implies a more significant and impactful shortage than "lack of". "Dearth" is also more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation.