lack of labour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of labour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which there is not enough people to do work or complete a task. For example, "The construction project was delayed due to a lack of labour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

There's a popular narrative about the lack of Labour women in elected leadership positions.

The Guardian - Opinion

In poorer families who could not afford the bandages or lack of labour associated with a hobbled woman, footbinding was not done until the girls were older.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Germany has often been criticised by bodies such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development for its lack of labour market flexibility, but Brauksiepe says the handling of the crisis reflected tripartite burden-sharing between government, employers and unions.

The Guardian

C Lack of labour.

Pastoralism

The lack of labour is likely to further decrease the survivability of traditional pastoralism.

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

Some irrigation channels have also been clogged and damaged due to lack of labour and inaccessibility.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Ghanaian cattle owners look for 'skilled' Fulani labour to herd their cattle because of the lack of herding labour within Ghana where Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) makes it compulsory for every child to go to school and also because of many Ghanaians' lack of interest in such herding jobs.

Pastoralism

This lead to lack of qualified labour, and therefore, they had to rely on occasional labour of varying quality.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Remoteness from markets and a lack of inexpensive labour supplies limit manufacturing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Just as lack of manual labour makes us flabby and ultimately kills us, lack of hubbub dulls our brains and makes us stupid.

The Guardian

Forecasts published before the referendum suggested that the UK economy would shrink if it exited the EU, partly as a result of the lack of skilled labour.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic impacts, specify the sector or industry affected by the "lack of labour" to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of labour" interchangeably with "labour shortage" without considering the specific context. "Lack of labour" can refer to a temporary or localized situation, while "labour shortage" often implies a more systemic and widespread issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of labour" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a deficiency or absence of workers. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of labour" is a noun phrase used to describe a situation where there is an insufficient number of workers available. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. The phrase is commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, highlighting its relevance to economic and operational discussions. While alternatives such as "workforce shortage" or "manpower deficit" exist, "lack of labour" provides a clear and direct way to communicate workforce deficiencies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

workforce shortage

This term directly refers to an insufficient number of workers available.

manpower deficit

Emphasizes the shortfall in available personnel for specific tasks or projects.

labour scarcity

Highlights the limited availability of workers in a particular market or industry.

insufficient workforce

Indicates that the current number of workers is not enough to meet the demands.

shortage of workers

A straightforward way to express that there are not enough people available to work.

personnel shortage

Focuses on the deficiency in the number of employees or staff members.

employee shortfall

Highlights that the number of employees is below the required or expected level.

staffing deficit

Indicates a gap between the required number of staff and the actual number available.

inadequate staffing levels

Suggests that the current level of staff is not sufficient to maintain operations effectively.

limited workforce availability

Emphasizes the restricted access to a sufficient number of workers.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of labour" to describe situations where there are not enough workers available. For example, "The project was delayed due to a "lack of labour"."

What are some alternatives to "lack of labour"?

Alternatives include "workforce shortage", "manpower deficit", or "labour scarcity", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "lack of labour" or "labour shortage"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "labour shortage" often implies a more general, economy-wide condition, while "lack of labour" can refer to specific projects or localized areas.

What are the primary causes of a "lack of labour"?

Causes may include low wages, poor working conditions, migration, or a "lack of skilled workers" available for specialized roles.