lack of manpower

USAGE SUMMARY

"lack of manpower" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it in a sentence such as, "The company was unable to meet their deadlines due to a lack of manpower."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If they do, it won't be for lack of manpower.

Independent

A severe lack of manpower and heavy machinery was holding back relief efforts.

The Guardian

What really hurt was the Knicks' lack of manpower not willpower.

The New York Times - Sports

Unlimited engineering manpower is not available so requests should be rejected for lack of manpower.

Engineering Documentation Control Handbook Configuration Management in Industry

Why? Employees and veterans advocates repeatedly point to one reason: a lack of manpower.

The New York Times

Also, whether from caution or a lack of manpower, it has become common for the agency simply to postpone decisions by 90 days.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Portland police have promised to limit their presence at rallies held by the group, in part due to a lack of manpower.

The Guardian

Also whether from caution or a lack of manpower, it has also become common for the agency simply to postpone decisions by 90 days.

The New York Times

Lack of manpower and heavy machinery meant that supplies such as trucks were in short supply and had to be used for very different but equally important jobs.

The Guardian

In the last year, Mr. Kerik has tried to increase precinct staffing a bit, in part to address complaints about a lack of manpower in some neighborhoods.

The New York Times

"All the coffee shops in the world aren't going to fix a lack of manpower and getting the basics right," he adds.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternative phrases like "staffing shortage" or "workforce deficit" for variety in your writing.

Common error

While "lack of manpower" can significantly hinder progress, avoid exaggerating the consequences. Provide factual evidence and specific examples to support your claims about the impact of the shortage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of manpower" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a deficiency or shortage in the number of available workers. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of manpower" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a shortage of workers, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is frequently used in News & Media, Science and Academia to explain delays or limitations due to understaffing. Alternative phrases include "insufficient workforce" and "workforce shortage". When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the impact of the shortage. While the phrase is generally neutral, consider the audience and context when selecting the most appropriate wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient workforce

Replaces "lack" with "insufficient", emphasizing the inadequacy of the workforce.

workforce shortage

Focuses on the shortage aspect, implying a deficiency in available workers.

staffing deficit

Uses "deficit" to highlight the shortfall in staffing levels.

inadequate staffing

Similar to "insufficient workforce", but specifies "staffing".

limited personnel

Emphasizes the restricted number of personnel available.

reduced workforce

Indicates that the workforce has been diminished or decreased.

personnel shortage

Swaps "manpower" with "personnel" emphasizing the shortage.

deficient staffing levels

More formal, highlighting that staffing is below the required level.

understaffing issues

Phrases the lack as an issue or problem of understaffing.

scarce human resources

Uses "scarce" to describe the limited availability of human resources.

FAQs

How to use "lack of manpower" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of manpower" to describe situations where there aren't enough people to complete a task or run an operation, for example: "The project was delayed due to a lack of manpower."

What can I say instead of "lack of manpower"?

You can use alternatives like "insufficient workforce", "workforce shortage", or "staffing deficit" depending on the context.

Is "lack of manpower" formal or informal language?

"Lack of manpower" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, you might consider alternatives like "staffing deficiency".

What are the implications of a "lack of manpower"?

A "lack of manpower" can lead to delays, reduced productivity, increased workload for existing staff, and potentially lower quality of work. It often necessitates prioritizing tasks and seeking alternative solutions.