is understaffed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is understaffed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where an organization or team does not have enough staff to meet its needs or demands. Example: "The hospital is understaffed, leading to longer wait times for patients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But his office is understaffed and his powers fettered.

The Economist

Jaclyn does several jobs, piled on her because her unit is understaffed.

The New York Times

The petition denials make it clear that the F.D.A. is understaffed.

The New York Times

"I.N.S. is understaffed and overworked, and things do go wrong," the lawyer said.

The New York Times

The Rwanda tribunal is understaffed and its funding has been slow in coming.

The New Yorker

He's back home safe now and complaining that the NHS is understaffed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The patients are almost all white; the staff is largely black, underpaid and overworked as Creedmoor is understaffed.

The New Yorker

Some Indonesian transportation officials say the industry is understaffed, with pilots under pressure to work long hours.

The New York Times

There should be a way doctors can highlight their rota is understaffed [in case there's] a safety issue.

Independent

O.G.S. is understaffed, and from 2010 to 2014 Holland was able to publish only two peer-reviewed papers, neither dealing specifically with disposal wells.

The New Yorker

But safety advocates and some members of Congress say the agency is understaffed and does not have the resources for investigations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is understaffed", clearly indicate the specific area or department affected to provide context. For example, instead of just saying "the hospital is understaffed", specify "the emergency room is understaffed".

Common error

Avoid using "is understaffed" without providing supporting evidence or explaining the impact of the understaffing. Saying "the team is understaffed" without further explanation is less impactful than describing the consequences, such as "the team is understaffed, leading to project delays".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is understaffed" functions as an adjective phrase, specifically a predicate adjective. It describes the subject's state of having an insufficient number of staff members. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is understaffed" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe situations where an organization, department, or team lacks sufficient personnel. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is readily usable across various contexts. Our analysis, drawing from a wide array of sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and scientific publications, indicates that "is understaffed" is most frequently used in news and media to report on staffing issues, but also appears in scientific, wiki and encyclopedic articles. For clarity, it is beneficial to specify which area is affected and the consequences of the understaffing. Alternatives like "is short-staffed" or "lacks adequate staffing" offer similar meanings, though the choice depends on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is short-staffed

A common synonym, more informal but equally understandable.

is undermanned

A more direct synonym, often used in military or traditionally male-dominated contexts.

lacks adequate staffing

Replaces "is understaffed" with a more formal and direct expression of insufficient staff.

has a staffing shortage

Emphasizes the existence of a shortage, a common way to phrase the issue.

is thinly staffed

Emphasizes the idea that the staff is spread too thinly.

has insufficient personnel

Uses more formal language emphasizing the lack of personnel resources.

is lacking in manpower

Highlights a shortage of physical or human work power.

struggles with staffing levels

Focuses on the difficulty or struggle caused by the insufficient staffing.

operates with a reduced workforce

Highlights the operational aspect of having fewer staff members.

can't cover all shifts

Focuses on the practical consequence of not having enough staff to handle all work shifts.

FAQs

How can I use "is understaffed" in a sentence?

You can use "is understaffed" to describe an organization, department, or team that does not have enough staff to function effectively. For example: "The customer service department "is understaffed", resulting in long wait times."

What are some alternatives to "is understaffed"?

Alternatives include "is short-staffed", "lacks adequate staffing", or "has a staffing shortage". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "is understaffed" or "is short-staffed"?

Both phrases are generally acceptable and have the same meaning. "Is understaffed" might be perceived as slightly more formal, while "is short-staffed" is more common in informal contexts. The choice depends on your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

What are the consequences of a department being understaffed?

Being "is understaffed" can lead to increased workload for existing employees, burnout, decreased productivity, lower quality of service, and delays in project completion. It can also negatively impact employee morale.