improving the shortage of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improving the shortage of" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is not typically used because "improving" does not logically apply to "shortage," which is a lack of something rather than a condition that can be improved. Example: "The organization is focused on improving the shortage of affordable housing in the community."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The audit also highlights the lack of training facilities, critical to improving the shortage of qualified staff.

Global Health Action

The efficacy of this admission programme in improving the shortage of physicians in rural and underserved areas in Japan is currently under investigation.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And even in an improving economy, the shortage of affordable housing in Los Angeles means there will always be homeless people.

Los Angeles Times

And even in an improving economy, the shortage of affordable housing in Los Angeles means there will always be homeless people. .

Los Angeles Times

Such issues included the value of phone call contact for improving uptake, the shortage of space in premises, the need for strategies to deal with waning enthusiasm, clear protocol structures, patient non-attendance due to duplication in chronic disease management clinics and minimizing research workload for practitioners.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Moreover, in our specific case, results may also have been paradoxically improved by the shortage of previous contact with psychiatry during the medical course.

BMC Medical Education

He said an effort would be made both locally to recruit armed village guards and encourage Taliban to give up their weapons, and regionally to improve co-operation.Given the shortage of Western troops, Afghanistan's best hope lies in expanding and improving its own forces.

The Economist

Data collection and analysis needs to be improved along with the shortage of skilled workers.

Unicef

Tight integration of hardware, software and services is key to improving the customer experience - The shortage of IT skills and the amount of automation and integration necessary to deliver optimal operational performance requires the tight integration of hardware and software, wrapped around by service implementation, management and optimization services.

HuffPost

The motivation to make an attempt to improve modern pneumatic devices was the shortage of this kind of apparatuses on the market allowing the production of thermos aerosol.

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Since special track recruitment resulted in a higher probability of fulfilling mandatory service and competency, increasing the proportion of special track recruitment and improving the effectiveness of policies addressing physician shortage were recommended.

Human Resources for Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "improving the shortage of". Instead, opt for more grammatically sound and widely accepted alternatives such as "addressing the shortage of" or "alleviating the shortage of".

Common error

The verb "improve" typically applies to qualities or conditions, not to deficits or lacks. Using it with "shortage" creates an illogical pairing. To avoid this error, choose verbs like "address", "reduce", or "alleviate" that directly relate to diminishing or managing a shortage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improving the shortage of" functions as a verbal phrase attempting to describe an action taken to affect a deficiency. However, Ludwig AI indicates this is not standard English usage. The phrase does not logically connect; one improves qualities, not absences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "improving the shortage of" is an uncommon and grammatically questionable construction. Ludwig AI highlights its infelicitous nature, noting that one cannot logically "improve" a shortage. While it appears in some sources, including scientific and news outlets, it's advisable to use more precise alternatives such as "addressing the shortage of", "reducing the shortage of", or "alleviating the shortage of". These alternatives provide clearer and more accurate ways to express efforts to mitigate a lack of something. Choosing such alternatives will enhance clarity and credibility in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

addressing the shortage of

Emphasizes taking direct action to deal with the shortage.

alleviating the shortage of

Focuses on reducing the severity of the shortage.

mitigating the shortage of

Highlights efforts to lessen the impact of the shortage.

reducing the shortage of

Focuses on diminishing the size or extent of the shortage.

tackling the shortage of

Implies a proactive and determined approach to solving the shortage.

combating the shortage of

Suggests a strong effort to fight against the negative effects of the shortage.

ameliorating the shortage of

Indicates making the shortage better or more bearable.

resolving the shortage of

Focuses on finding a complete solution to the shortage.

rectifying the shortage of

Implies correcting or fixing the shortage.

overcoming the shortage of

Highlights the process of successfully dealing with and surpassing the challenges posed by the shortage.

FAQs

What are some better ways to phrase "improving the shortage of"?

Instead of "improving the shortage of", you can use phrases like "addressing the shortage of", "reducing the shortage of", or "alleviating the shortage of".

Is "improving the shortage of" grammatically correct?

No, "improving the shortage of" is not considered grammatically correct. "Improve" implies enhancing something that already exists, while a shortage is a lack of something. It's more appropriate to use verbs like "address", "mitigate", or "resolve".

When is it acceptable to use the phrase "improving the shortage of"?

While not grammatically ideal, "improving the shortage of" might be encountered in informal contexts. However, it's always preferable to use more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "addressing the shortage" or "reducing the shortage" in formal or professional writing.

What's the difference between "improving the shortage of" and "addressing the shortage of"?

"Improving the shortage of" implies making the shortage better, which is not logically sound. "Addressing the shortage of" means taking action to deal with or resolve the shortage, which is a more accurate and appropriate way to express the intent.