has a shortage of

USAGE SUMMARY

"has a shortage of" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that does not have enough or the appropriate amount of something. For example, "This school has a shortage of teachers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

India has a shortage of venture capital.

The Economist

Already Japan has a shortage of geriatric nurses.

The New York Times - Books

The Brooklyn diocese has a shortage of priests.

The New York Times

Sierra Leone has a shortage of midwives in rural areas.

The Guardian

Journalism has a shortage of many things: capital, advertisers and, in some instances, readers.

The New York Times

The investigation found, for example, that the airline has a shortage of instructors to train pilots.

The New York Times

Considering Puebla's reputation as a culinary capital, the city has a shortage of exceptional restaurants.

The New York Times - Travel

Even Dutch bank ING admits the city has a shortage of experienced finance professionals.

The Guardian

If Britain has a shortage of skilled workers, migrants are needed to fill these positions.

The Guardian - Opinion

India has a shortage of a million teachers and many schools lack books or basic facilities.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is estimated that the African Region has a shortage of at least 817 992 health workers [ 41].

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs, such as "lacks" or "requires", for more concise phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "has a shortage lack of". The phrase already implies a lack, so adding 'lack of' becomes redundant. Instead, focus on specifying what is scarce: "The region has a shortage of clean water", not "The region has a shortage lack of clean water".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has a shortage of" functions as a linking verb plus a noun phrase, indicating a state of deficiency or lack. According to Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

24%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has a shortage of" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express a deficiency or lack of something. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a commonly used phrase across various contexts, from news reporting to academic discussions. While straightforward, it's essential to be specific about the item that's lacking and to avoid redundancies like "has a shortage lack of". Consider alternatives like ""is lacking in"" or ""is in short supply of"" to add nuance. By keeping these points in mind, you can effectively communicate resource deficits in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in short supply of

Emphasizes the limited availability of a resource or item.

is lacking in

Emphasizes the absence of something necessary or desirable.

is short on

Indicates an inadequate supply, typically in an informal setting.

lacks sufficient

Indicates a deficiency, often in a more formal context.

is deficient in

Highlights a lack or inadequacy in a specific area.

faces a deficit of

Suggests a shortfall, often in financial or quantifiable terms.

experiences a scarcity of

Highlights the rarity and limited availability of something.

is strapped for

Implies a scarcity, often in a resource or commodity.

is under-resourced in

Highlights inadequate resources, typically within an organization or system.

is stretched thin on

Suggests resources are inadequate to meet the demand.

FAQs

How to use "has a shortage of" in a sentence?

Use "has a shortage of" to indicate that there isn't enough of something. For example, "The city "has a shortage of affordable housing"".

What can I say instead of "has a shortage of"?

You can use alternatives like "lacks sufficient", "is lacking in", or "is in short supply of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "has a shortage lack of"?

No, "has a shortage lack of" is redundant. The phrase "has a shortage of" already implies a lack, so avoid using them together.

Which is more formal, "has a shortage of" or "is deficient in"?

"Is deficient in" is generally considered more formal than "has a shortage of". Use it in academic or professional contexts where a more elevated tone is appropriate.