dearth of work

USAGE SUMMARY

"dearth of work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a lack of work or employment opportunities available. For example: "Due to the economic crisis, there has been a dearth of work available for recent college graduates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

If there's a weakness in "Artistic Collaborations," which was organized by the curator Wendy Weitman, it's the dearth of work by younger artists.

The New York Times - Arts

The hourlong session covered technical topics, such as the dearth of work visas issued by the federal government each year and the administrative difficulties of getting legalized as an immigrant.

The New Yorker

And while most of the men were longtime, passionate Santas looking to hone their skills in hair bleaching, story-telling and sign language, at least a handful, including an aerospace engineer and an accountant, said they were testing out Santa school in part because of slim times, shrunken retirement accounts, or a dearth of work altogether.

The New York Times

"What's the difference between this kind of abstraction and the abstraction at MOMA?" She had considered spending the afternoon at the Museum of Modern Art, next door, but she knew that she would have spent the whole time grumbling about the dearth of work by women there.

The New Yorker

Since there is a dearth of work on the transport properties of GaPSb, important physical phenomena such as the type of carriers, the strength of carrier-carrier interactions, transport behavior, and so on require further investigations.

Nanoscale Research Letters

While health policies are a major focus in disciplines such as public health and public policy, there is a dearth of work on the histories, social contexts, and personalities behind the development of these policies.

Social Science & Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Local residents Dave Gough and Penny Witham appreciated the easier access, thanks to a wide walkway all around the new Wembley, but remarked on there being only one hand-dryer in each of the toilet blocks and on a dearth of working coffee machines.

The Guardian

But it's slightly unfair to blame the lack of accomplishments on a dearth of working hours.

Vice

'There is,' he says, 'a dearth of good work in this town.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Schechner's article pits directors against writers by trying to link a creative response to the classics with an alleged dearth of new work.

The New York Times

Partly owing to this long-standing dearth of theoretical work, the definition of "non-cognitive skills", as well as their relation to cognitive skills, remain rather vague.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dearth of work" to emphasize a significant and noticeable lack of employment opportunities, often due to economic downturns or industry-specific challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "dearth of work" when referring to a temporary or localized job shortage. The phrase implies a more widespread and prolonged scarcity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dearth of work" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It signifies a deficiency or scarcity regarding employment opportunities. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dearth of work" is a grammatically sound and valid expression used to describe a significant scarcity of employment opportunities. While confirmed by Ludwig AI as correct, it’s important to note its nuance: it implies a broader, more sustained lack than a simple "shortage". Primarily found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral-to-formal register. Alternative phrases such as "lack of employment" or "scarcity of jobs" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and specific context. Using "dearth of work" effectively means understanding its scope and avoiding its application to temporary or localized shortages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited work opportunities

More explicit about the limited chances of getting work.

lack of employment

Focuses specifically on the absence of available jobs.

scarcity of jobs

Emphasizes the limited availability of job opportunities.

absence of jobs

Directly states that jobs are not available.

job shortage

A more concise way to express the insufficient number of jobs.

limited job market

Highlights the restrictive nature of the employment landscape.

inadequate employment options

Focuses on the insufficient nature of the employment choices.

employment crisis

Suggests a severe and widespread lack of work.

paucity of opportunities

Focuses on the limited number of chances for employment.

underemployment

Implies that people are not working at their full capacity or potential.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The economic recession caused a "dearth of work" in the manufacturing sector", or "There's a "dearth of work" for young people in rural areas".

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

You can use alternatives like "lack of employment", "scarcity of jobs", or "job shortage" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "dearth of jobs" instead of "dearth of work"?

Yes, "dearth of jobs" is a perfectly acceptable and more commonly used alternative. It directly refers to the limited availability of employment positions.

What's the difference between "dearth of work" and "unemployment"?

"Dearth of work" refers to the scarcity of available jobs, while "unemployment" refers to the state of individuals who are actively seeking work but unable to find it. A "dearth of work" can contribute to high unemployment rates.