lack of essentials

USAGE SUMMARY

"lack of essentials" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is missing or unavailable, especially items that are needed for everyday life. For example: "The devastating hurricane left the local population facing a severe lack of essentials, such as food and shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Syrian troops laid siege to Eastern Ghouta in April 2013, sending prices soaring and causing dozens of deaths related to a lack of essentials.

The Washington Post

The skewed income distribution may mean extravagant gifts in some wealthy families, but it means a lack of essentials -- and more reliance on charities -- for the poor.

The New York Times

Which aside from the negative consequences that come with a "lack of essentials," results in fat storage.

Huffington Post

As if Hurricane Maria hadn't ravaged Puerto Rico enough, days later the island's ongoing power outages and flagrant lack of essentials, like fuel, are preventing banks and ATMs from being operational.

Huffington Post

These hardships and difficulties may include poverty, unemployment, lack of essentials, and inability to access health services for mental and physical health problems associated with their previous WE [ 52].

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But new residents say they are frustrated by a lack of essential services like clothing shops and hardware stores.

The New York Times

Due to lack of essential resources and technical expertise, every year thousands of farmers fail to reach maximum yield potential.

Crop Protection

The achievement of this goal is potentially hindered by the lack of essential empirical data, especially in the Mediterranean Sea.

Marine Environmental Research

Véronique De Keyser, chief observer of the EU election observation mission, said lack of essential materials resulted in delays in the opening of polling stations amid a challenging environment.

The Guardian

The initiative, known as Project Iceworm, faced a long list of challenges, chief among them a lack of essential knowledge about the deep structure of glaciers.

The New Yorker

At P.S. 94, teachers and administrators must try to overcome severe overcrowding and a lack of essential resources - a library, a gymnasium - that seem to conspire against them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "lack of essentials", be specific about what essentials are missing to provide clarity and impact. For instance, instead of saying "the refugees suffered from a lack of essentials", specify "the refugees suffered from a lack of essentials such as food, water, and medical supplies".

Common error

While "lack of essentials" is generally acceptable, consider more formal or precise language in academic or professional writing. Alternatives like "scarcity of necessities" or "deficiency in vital resources" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of essentials" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of deficiency or absence regarding items considered necessary for basic living or well-being. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of essentials" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the absence or scarcity of basic necessities. While Ludwig AI validates its usability, it's important to consider the context and potentially opt for more formal alternatives in certain settings. The phrase commonly appears in news, scientific, and business contexts, highlighting situations of deprivation. Being specific about which "essentials" are lacking enhances clarity and impact in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcity of necessities

This alternative emphasizes the limited availability of items crucial for basic survival or well-being.

shortage of basic supplies

This phrase highlights a deficit in fundamental resources required for daily living.

deficiency in essential items

This alternative focuses on the inadequacy or insufficiency of core provisions.

paucity of fundamental resources

This option underscores the limited quantity of foundational resources needed for sustenance and support.

absence of vital provisions

This phrase stresses the non-existence or unavailability of critical supplies.

inadequate essential resources

Highlights the insufficiency in fundamental resources

want of basic needs

Implies a deprivation of things that you must have to live properly.

lack of basic amenities

Focuses on the absence of things considered necessary to live comfortably.

limited access to necessities

Stresses the difficulty in obtaining or reaching things you need.

dearth of critical commodities

Emphasizes a serious lack of important supplies.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of essentials" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of essentials" to describe situations where basic necessities are missing or insufficient. For example, "The disaster zone was marked by a severe "lack of essentials", including shelter and clean water".

What are some alternatives to "lack of essentials"?

Some alternatives include "scarcity of necessities", "shortage of basic supplies", or "deficiency in essential items", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "lack of essentials" formal enough for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "lack of essentials" might be considered somewhat informal for academic writing. In such contexts, consider using phrases like "deficiency in vital resources" or "scarcity of fundamental provisions" for a more elevated tone.

What kind of situations typically involve a "lack of essentials"?

A "lack of essentials" often occurs in situations of poverty, natural disasters, conflict zones, or economic crises, where access to basic necessities like food, water, shelter, and medical care is compromised.