lack of materials

USAGE SUMMARY

'lack of materials' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about an absence or shortage of something needed or wanted, such as supplies or resources. For example, "The lack of materials made it difficult for the team to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not sick or hungry students, not a lack of materials, not overcrowded classrooms.

The Washington Post

When bottlenecks develop, for example, downstream operations may halt for lack of materials.

Journal of Operations Management

Lack of materials which are thermoelectrically efficient and economically attractive is a challenge in thermoelectricity.

Materials Letters

Coffin production has dropped between 20%and30%0% this year for lack of materials, forcing funeral and burial delays and boosting cask prices, industry officials say.

The Guardian

Not only are these girls dealing with a lack of materials, they are also stigmatised by cultural attitudes that regard menstruating women and girls as dirty.

The Guardian

Such works do not masquerade as lives; rather, they imaginatively take the place of biography where perhaps there can be no genuine life writing for lack of materials.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The class explores ways to overcome challenges in resource-poor settings such as lack of materials, language barriers, large class sizes, and entrenched pedagogy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Radiological threats, however, are difficult to simulate due to the lack of materials that can mimic radiation sources without the danger of the real radiation.

Computers & Graphics

Her output decreased significantly during World War II initially because of a lack of materials and then ultimately, with the Nazi occupation of France, because of the prohibition against her brand of abstract photography.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Retch does not suffer from a lack of material.

The New York Times

It can't be for lack of material.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lack of materials" to denote a deficiency in tangible resources. Reserve similar phrases like "lack of funding" or "lack of support" for intangible resources.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of materials" as a catch-all explanation for project failures. Ensure the problem genuinely stems from missing supplies and not poor planning or misallocation of existing resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of materials" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the absence or scarcity of essential resources. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

26%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of materials" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a deficiency or shortage of necessary resources. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use in various contexts. It appears frequently in scientific, news, and business-related content, indicating its versatility. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to specify the context, such as "lack of materials in construction" for clarity. While alternatives like "shortage of supplies" or "scarcity of resources" exist, "lack of materials" remains a straightforward and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shortage of supplies

Replaces "lack" with "shortage" and "materials" with "supplies", focusing on the deficiency in available provisions.

scarcity of resources

Substitutes "lack" with "scarcity" and "materials" with "resources", emphasizing the limited availability of essential provisions.

deficiency of resources

Employs "deficiency" to indicate the absence or insufficiency of necessary resources, which are needed to support a specific function or activity.

inadequate resources

Expresses the idea that the available resources are not sufficient to meet the requirements or needs of a particular situation.

limited availability of materials

Highlights the restricted quantity or accessibility of required materials, which affects the ability to complete tasks or projects.

resource constraints

Focuses on the limitations or restrictions imposed by the availability of resources, which can affect decision-making and project implementation.

insufficiency of supplies

Stresses that there are not enough supplies available to meet the demand or requirements, causing potential disruptions or delays.

paucity of materials

Uses "paucity" to indicate a small quantity or limited amount of materials, which can hinder progress or compromise the quality of work.

dearth of resources

Employs "dearth" to signify a severe lack or scarcity of resources, leading to significant challenges in achieving goals or objectives.

limited stock of materials

Underscores that the quantity of materials on hand is restricted, potentially causing issues with production, maintenance, or project execution.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of materials" to describe a shortage or absence of necessary supplies or resources. For instance, "The project was delayed due to a "lack of materials"." or "The school struggled with a "lack of materials" for art class."

What are some alternatives to saying "lack of materials"?

Alternatives include "shortage of supplies", "scarcity of resources", or "inadequate resources" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a lack of material" instead of "lack of materials"?

While "a lack of material" can be correct, it usually refers to a single substance or topic, whereas "lack of materials" refers to multiple items. For instance, "a lack of material" could refer to a biographer encountering a "lack of material" about their subject, while "lack of materials" could describe a construction site's "shortage of supplies".

What causes a "lack of materials" in supply chains?

A "lack of materials" in supply chains can be due to various factors such as disruptions in manufacturing, transportation delays, increased demand, or geopolitical instability. All of these can lead to scarcity and ultimately a "shortage of supplies".