in shortage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in shortage' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something is not available in sufficient quantity, such as when a resource is limited. For example, "Due to the current pandemic, medical supplies are in shortage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Group purchasing organizations do not manufacture, compound, sell or take title to these drugs or any drugs in shortage.

The New York Times

Generous scholarships and bursaries may be available on either route, especially for those who will teach in shortage subject areas such as maths, physics and languages.

Independent

Hospitals and health centers had particular trouble in securing immunoglobulin, which is used in post-exposure treatment and is in shortage worldwide.

The New York Times

The disastrous policy around wresting teacher training from universities will become a key issue as the numbers entering the profession drops drastically, particularly in shortage subjects.

The Guardian

Further announcements are to be made on policies to improve the training and skills of domestic workers so they, rather than migrants, can fill jobs in shortage occupations.

The Guardian

John Howson thinks that as schools become free to fix salaries we may see the start of a bidding war in shortage subjects.

The Guardian

May is expected to announce some exceptions to the limit, including a lower earnings threshold for jobs in shortage or at PhD level.

The Guardian

"There is a comprehensive programme of support available from the Teaching Agency to help you and large tax-free bursaries and scholarships for high quality graduates, especially in shortage subjects".

Independent

Unconstrained by the state sector's national pay agreements, they can pay above the odds for teachers in "shortage" subjects such as physics and modern languages, rather than leaving posts unfilled or hiring non-specialists, as state schools do.

The Economist

From Mr. Dhiyakh's butcher shop to Mr. Baaghet's factory to large chemical plants to the refineries that make the gasoline and cooking gas now in shortage here, businesses, even those with their own power generators, have sharply scaled back production.

The New York Times

Last year, graduates with excellent degrees in shortage subjects such as maths and physics went without a training place because there was no mechanism to transfer the unfilled School Direct places to universities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a shortage, specify what is "in shortage" to provide clarity and context. For example, instead of just saying "supplies are in shortage", specify "medical supplies are in shortage".

Common error

Don't use "in shortage" without clearly defining what is lacking. Vague statements can confuse the reader. Instead of "there's a shortage", state "there's a shortage of qualified nurses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in shortage" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or verb, indicating a state of deficiency or scarcity. This is supported by Ludwig's AI and the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

58%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in shortage" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a situation where something is not available in sufficient quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "in short supply" or "lacking in" exist, "in shortage" provides a clear and concise way to convey the lack of a particular resource. To maximize clarity, always specify what is "in shortage". The sources analyzed indicate its prevalence in authoritative publications, solidifying its acceptability in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in short supply

Emphasizes the limited availability of something.

limited availability

Directly states that something is not readily available.

lacking in

Focuses on the absence of something, similar to being "in shortage".

undersupplied

Focuses on the inadequate supply of something.

deficient in

Highlights a lack or inadequacy of something essential.

scarce

A single word that directly indicates a limited quantity.

inadequate

Highlights the insufficiency of something to meet the demand.

depleted

Indicates that something has been used up or exhausted, leading to a shortage.

dwindling

Implies a decreasing amount, suggesting a move towards a shortage.

stretched thin

Suggests that resources are being used to their limit, bordering on shortage.

FAQs

How can I use "in shortage" in a sentence?

You can use "in shortage" to describe a situation where there is not enough of something. For instance, "Due to supply chain issues, computer chips are "in short supply"".

What's a more formal alternative to "in shortage"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "deficient in" or "lacking in" depending on the context. These alternatives often suit academic or professional writing.

Is it correct to say "there is shortage of" instead of "in shortage"?

While "there is a shortage of" is grammatically correct and more common, "in shortage" is also acceptable. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example: "there is a shortage of teachers" versus "teachers are "in shortage" areas".

What is the difference between "in shortage" and "in short supply"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable, but "in short supply" often emphasizes the limited availability more strongly. Both indicate a scarcity, but the choice depends on the desired emphasis.