lack of provisions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of provisions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there are insufficient supplies or resources available. Example: "The expedition was delayed due to a lack of provisions, forcing the team to turn back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Desertions by some of his allies and a lack of provisions soon forced Antony to take action.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The pawnbroker in Wilson complained about the lack of provisions under the consumer credit law to provide for a fair hearing – an issue that has broader implications for other areas of law.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was started with a $10 million donation by Andrew Carnegie, who on becoming a trustee at Cornell University was appalled at the lack of provisions for academic retirement.

The New York Times

A prime concern for holdouts was the measure's lack of provisions to relax federal health insurance regulations that require insurers to provide certain minimum benefits and to spend certain percentages of premium revenues on medical care.

The New York Times

Tourist industry workers here tend to lean secular-liberal in the votes — they want a welcoming atmosphere for Western tourists — so a lack of provisions to vote by mail, etc., could hurt liberal candidates and help Islamists.

The New York Times

But Mickey Kantor, who is a friend and supporter of Mrs. Clinton's and was the United States trade representative when the agreement was pushed through, said in an interview in December that Mrs. Clinton raised concerns about the lack of provisions for labor and environmental standards and wanted to tackle health care instead.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The lack of provision is a huge issue for now, and a huge issue being stored up for the future".

The Guardian

Tini's case has thrust the country's lack of provision for no-fault divorce into the spotlight.

The Guardian

Surgeons are warning that the issue is becoming a "big problem" after noticing a lack of provision in some areas.

Independent

This provision, or lack of provision, has been widely noted, and there was some early, desultory talk of taking advantage of it.

The New Yorker

Which makes it all the more shocking that there seems to be such a lack of provision for the mental health needs of the homeless.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack of provisions", be specific about what kind of provisions are lacking to provide clarity. For instance, specify "lack of food provisions" or "lack of medical provisions".

Common error

While grammatically sound, consistently using "lack of provisions" can make writing seem repetitive. Vary your language by employing synonyms like "shortage of supplies" or "scarcity of resources" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of provisions" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves as the subject or object in a sentence, denoting the absence or insufficient quantity of necessary supplies. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of provisions" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes a deficiency in essential supplies. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, though most common in news, academic, and wiki environments. While generally neutral to formal in tone, varying your phrasing with synonyms like "shortage of supplies" can enhance writing style. Remember to specify the type of provisions lacking to improve clarity and avoid overuse in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shortage of supplies

Emphasizes the insufficient quantity of supplies.

scarcity of resources

Highlights the limited availability of resources more broadly, not just provisions.

insufficiency of supplies

Stresses that the supplies are inadequate for the need.

dearth of necessities

Implies a severe lack of essential items.

paucity of goods

Focuses on the small quantity of available goods.

inadequate resources

Broader term that refers to an insufficient number of resources.

limited supplies

Emphasizes the restricted amount of available supplies.

supply deficit

Highlights a shortfall in the amount of supplies available, often used in business contexts.

resource depletion

Highlights the decline or exhaustion of resources.

absence of necessities

Focuses on the lack of essential items required for survival or well-being.

FAQs

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

You can use "lack of provisions" to describe situations where there is a shortage or absence of necessary supplies, for example, "The expedition was forced to turn back due to a lack of provisions".

What are some alternatives to "lack of provisions"?

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

Is it better to say "absence of provisions" or "lack of provisions"?

Both "absence of provisions" and "lack of provisions" are grammatically correct. "Lack of provisions" is more commonly used and generally sounds more natural in contemporary English. "Absence of provisions" is more formal and could be suitable in legal or highly formal contexts.

What does "lack of provisions" imply?

The phrase "lack of provisions" implies that there is an inadequate supply of essential items, usually referring to food, water, medical supplies, or other necessities required for survival or a specific task.