material shortages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "material shortages" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a lack or scarcity of materials needed for a certain purpose or project. Example: "The construction of the new building was delayed due to material shortages caused by the unexpected increase in demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Inflation and raw material shortages have also soared.

The Guardian

In construction, we're seeing escalating prices as a result of raw material shortages".

The Guardian

Defra is preparing to publish a report next month on how to address potential raw material shortages.

Independent

The discipline of military obsolescence management has been given a typically mysterious military name -- D.M.S.M.S., for Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages.

The New York Times

One leak revealed by Fairfax Media in February reported important targets were being missed, caused by faults and delays with constructions and approvals, as well as material shortages.

The Guardian

Light industry is now favoured in an effort to reduce pollution, alleviate transport congestion, and compensate for energy and raw material shortages associated with heavy industry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

His theory was that technology would eventually find a solution to any raw material shortage.

Forbes

Another reason accounting for temporary material shortage in the spool fabrication practice is attributed to the fact that raw materials can be misused in fabrication of spools.

Visualization in Engineering

Also, we aimed to investigate the possibility of utilizing stinging nettle in panel production, thus helping overcome the raw material shortage that the industry is facing.

Composites Part B: Engineering

However, no work is reported to achieve cost constrained pragmatic solution for integrated effect of set-up, equipment failure, skill level of workers, absenteeism, material shortage, rejection, fatigue, material handling, etc. on output.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

If station overloading or material shortage occurs, the cycle time increases, and hence the line throughput decreases (Jadhav et al. 2015; Rabbani et al. 2016, Rane and Sunnapwar 2017).

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "material shortages", specify the type of materials and the industry or sector affected to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "material shortages" universally impact all industries equally; tailor your analysis to the specific context and affected sectors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "material shortages" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a condition or situation where necessary materials are lacking. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "material shortages" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that describes a lack of essential materials. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequency and correctness are well-established across diverse contexts including News & Media, Science and Formal & Business communications. When using the phrase, it's best practice to specify the types of materials and the affected sectors to provide clarity. Alternatives like "resource scarcity" and "lack of materials" offer similar meanings, but "material shortages" remains a precise and widely understood way to convey this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

materials scarcity

Similar to "resource scarcity", specifically referring to materials.

lack of materials

A more straightforward and direct expression of the same concept.

resource scarcity

Emphasizes the limited availability of resources more broadly.

deficiency in resources

Similar to "resource scarcity", but with a slightly more formal tone.

limited supplies

Highlights the restricted quantity of available materials.

shortfall in supplies

Emphasizes the gap between the required and available supplies.

supply deficits

Focuses on the shortfall in the amount supplied compared to the demand.

inadequate materials

Focuses on the insufficient quality or quantity of materials.

supply crunch

Suggests a sudden and significant problem with the availability of materials.

dearth of resources

Implies a severe scarcity, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "material shortages" in a sentence?

You can use "material shortages" to describe situations where there is a lack of necessary resources, such as, "The project was delayed due to "material shortages"".

What are some alternatives to "material shortages"?

Alternatives include "resource scarcity", "supply deficits", or "lack of materials", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "material shortages" or "materials shortages"?

"Material shortages" and "materials shortages" are both grammatically correct and largely interchangeable, though "material shortages" may be slightly more common.

What factors typically contribute to "material shortages"?

Factors contributing to "material shortages" can include increased demand, supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, and geopolitical instability.