dearth of qualified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dearth of qualified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant lack or scarcity of qualified individuals in a particular field or context. Example: "The company is facing a dearth of qualified candidates for the engineering positions, which is hindering its growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

While maternal deaths have significantly declined in Nepal, advocates are concerned about the country's dearth of qualified health staff, midwives in particular, Irin News reported in 2013.

Huffington Post

In fact, much of the elevated level of negligence in the 'modern' world (see my blog The 70/90 Rule & the Principle of Due Diligence) is due to a dearth of qualified administrative personnel within the labor force, coupled by 'too many chefs spoil the soup' syndrome at all levels of management.

Huffington Post

The university is struggling with a lack of resources, from scarce dormitory space and funds to buy library books to a dearth of qualified teachers.

The New York Times - Arts

And if you listen to employers you'll hear, in survey after survey, that a big reason they're not hiring is a dearth of qualified workers.

The New Yorker

You report that a dearth of qualified professionals and lack of consensus about an official national language hinder efforts to rebuild East Timor under United Nations administration (news articles, April 22 and 23).

The New York Times

And there was a dearth of qualified leaders in a community that had been denied both education and a voice in politics.Today, the situation could hardly be more different.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The country has a dearth of people qualified to run them.

The Economist

Delaying higher education can only make worse the dearth of Americans qualified for high-level positions, increasing the outsourcing of these jobs.

The New York Times

One problem, he says, is that the slimming down of the treasury machine by Lord Burns as part of the fundamental expenditure review in the mid-90s has left the department with a dearth of suitably qualified staff.

The Guardian - Business

"When I was recruiting lawyer-linguists at the European Court of Justice – and even today – I found that there is a dearth of suitably qualified prospective English candidates in law with an additional language," he says.

The Guardian

That means a dearth of candidates qualified to lead.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dearth of qualified", consider specifying the area or industry to provide context and clarity. For example, "dearth of qualified engineers" or "dearth of qualified healthcare professionals".

Common error

Avoid using "dearth of qualified" in casual conversation or informal writing. It is more appropriate for formal reports, articles, and professional communications. Simpler phrases like "lack of" or "shortage of" are often better suited for less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dearth of qualified" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation where there is a significant lack or scarcity. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dearth of qualified" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant lack of skilled individuals, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently used in news articles, scientific publications, and formal business communications. While effective for emphasizing a serious scarcity, it's best reserved for formal contexts. Simpler alternatives like "lack of" or "shortage of" may be more appropriate for casual use. Remember to specify the area or industry to provide context, such as "dearth of qualified engineers". This information offers guidance on usage and context to help improve writing and communication skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited availability of qualified personnel

Expresses restricted access or supply of people who are qualified.

shortage of skilled professionals

Replaces "dearth" with "shortage" and "qualified" with "skilled", focusing on professional expertise.

lack of competent personnel

Substitutes "dearth" with "lack" and "qualified" with "competent", highlighting general competence.

inadequate supply of skilled labor

Draws attention to deficient labor in the market who posses appropriate skills.

scarcity of proficient individuals

Emphasizes the limited availability of highly skilled people.

deficiency of capable employees

Underlines a lack of efficient or able employees.

insufficiency of trained staff

Highlights the inadequate number of personnel with appropriate training.

paucity of experienced candidates

Focuses on the limited number of candidates with significant experience.

restricted pool of eligible applicants

Stresses that there is a finite and limited group of applicants that meet eligibility standards.

rarity of well-versed experts

Highlights the limited number of experts with a comprehensive knowledge of the field.

FAQs

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

You can use "dearth of qualified" to describe a lack or scarcity of skilled individuals. For instance, "The industry is facing a "dearth of qualified" engineers" or "There's a "dearth of qualified" teachers in rural areas".

What are some alternatives to "dearth of qualified"?

Alternatives include "shortage of qualified", "lack of competent personnel", or "scarcity of proficient individuals". Depending on the context, you can also use "limited availability of qualified" personnel.

Is it appropriate to use "dearth of qualified" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "dearth of qualified" is more suited for formal writing and professional contexts. In casual conversations, simpler terms like "lack of" or "shortage of" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "dearth of qualified" and "shortage of qualified"?

"Dearth" implies a more severe scarcity than "shortage". While both indicate a lack, "dearth" suggests a more critical and pronounced absence. You could also consider "lack of competent personnel".