low on stock

USAGE SUMMARY

"low on stock" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which a business has a limited amount of a particular product to sell. For example, "The store was low on stock of the new video game, so it sold out quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Many of the shops are now as low on stock as they are on customers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The club shop is low on stock and for once that is not evidence of a lower-league side struggling to pay its suppliers.

The Guardian - Sport

The company had also been selling the product through Amazon.com, but said it temporarily removed it from that site because it was low on stock.

The New York Times

Tesco is running low on stock of a number of Unilever products – including Marmite, Ben & Jerry's ice cream and Lynx body spray – after the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods company halted deliveries as a result of the dispute.

The Guardian - Business

For example, Walmart wants to use artificial intelligence to better identify when items are running low on stock so that it can proactively replenish the stock.

TechCrunch

Recent industrial action by lorry drivers meant petrol stations ran dry, supermarkets ran low on stock, and even hospitals had to make alternative arrangements for deliveries of heating coal.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Indeed, when Pertamina, Indonesia's state-owned oil company, ran low on stocks last month, and so began buying up dollars to pay for imports, the rupiah plunged.

The Economist

With valuations so low on stocks but uncertainty too great to push them higher, Mr. Rieder encouraged anyone who could commit capital for several years to consider buying stocks with high dividend yields.

The New York Times

The two companies reached an agreement on Friday after it emerged that Tesco was running low on stocks of more than 20 popular Unilever brands because the supplier halted deliveries when the supermarket would not agree to its price demand.

The Guardian - Business

The two companies reached agreement on Friday after it emerged that Tesco was running low on stocks of more than 20 popular Unilever brands because the supplier halted deliveries when the supermarket would not agree to its price demand.

The Guardian - Business

Georgia, the state that caused outrage in September when it put to death Troy Davis despite considerable doubts about his guilt, is also running low on stocks of the drug it used to kill him.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing marketing copy, using "low on stock" can create a sense of urgency, prompting customers to make quicker purchasing decisions.

Common error

Don't use "low on stock" when you actually mean "out of stock". "Low on stock" implies there are still some items available, whereas "out of stock" means there are none.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low on stock" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun (typically a product or item) to indicate its limited availability. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "low on stock" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to indicate that the quantity of an item is limited. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and useful expression in English. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources but also appears in formal business and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful that it implies some items are still available, unlike the phrase "out of stock". Consider related phrases like "running short on supply" or "limited inventory available" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

running short on supply

Focuses on the act of supply diminishing.

supply is dwindling

Emphasizes the gradual decrease in available supply.

limited inventory available

Highlights the scarcity of items in the inventory.

stock is depleted

Indicates a significant reduction in the stock level.

inventory is scarce

Emphasizes the rare or limited nature of the inventory.

items are in short supply

Highlights the general lack of availability of specific items.

reduced stock levels

Focuses on the measured decrease in stock quantities.

limited quantities remain

Indicates a small amount of product left.

facing a stock shortage

Highlights the problem or challenge of having too little stock.

insufficient stock available

Highlights stock levels are inadequate to meet demands.

FAQs

How can I use "low on stock" in a sentence?

You can use "low on stock" to indicate that a business has a limited amount of a particular product to sell. For example, "The store is "low on stock" of the new game console, so it may sell out quickly".

What's a more formal way to say "low on stock"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "inventory is scarce" or "limited inventory available", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "running low on stock"?

Yes, "running "running low on" stock" is a perfectly acceptable and common variation of "low on stock", indicating the stock is gradually decreasing.

What's the difference between "low on stock" and "out of stock"?

"Low on stock" means there are still some items available, but the quantity is limited. "Out of stock", on the other hand, means there are no more items currently available for purchase.