not enough manpower

USAGE SUMMARY

"not enough manpower" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an inadequate number of people to complete a task. For example, "We need to hire more workers since there is not enough manpower to finish the job on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Not enough manpower".

The New York Times

"We literally have hundreds of names and numbers and not enough manpower to go around," the department posted, on Facebook.

The New Yorker

"We have to lead the way to their dormitory, and due to not enough manpower they have to carry their suitcases to the sixth floor," he added.

The New York Times

Most, he says, told him that there was simply too much material and not enough manpower to handle it.

Forbes

I am compelled to do the duties of all of them because there is not enough manpower for these duties.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Some complain that the time-scale is unrealistic, and that even with the proposed redeployment of resources there is simply not enough suitable manpower in many poor countries to provide the necessary services.

The Economist

There is simply not enough money, manpower or resources for the hospital to treat everyone, so this responsibility must be shared by the patient's family.

Duke University

The regime's reliance on foreign militias suggests it does not have enough manpower to fight for it everywhere.

The Washington Post

Brookhaven, they say, has not devoted enough manpower to make sure that Mastic Beach's homes are well-groomed and that burned-out buildings are repaired or replaced.

The New York Times

Abu Asil, a jewelry store owner in Falluja, said Saturday that shopkeepers who had gone to the police about 10 days ago seeking increased protection were told that the police did not have enough manpower.

The New York Times

This makes me worry that the administration will not have enough manpower to produce the same volume and standard of incompetence that we've come to expect so far.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not enough manpower", consider the specific context and whether a more formal or specific term like "insufficient personnel" or "inadequate staffing levels" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "manpower" is widely understood, it can be perceived as gendered. Using alternatives like "personnel", "staff", or "workforce" promotes inclusivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not enough manpower" functions as a quantifier phrase indicating a deficiency in the number of available workers or personnel. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It highlights a limitation or constraint due to insufficient human resources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not enough manpower" is a grammatically sound and commonly understood expression used to describe a situation where there are insufficient personnel to accomplish a task. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While generally acceptable, it's important to be aware of potential gendered connotations and consider more inclusive alternatives like "personnel" or "staffing" when appropriate. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific and general discussions, and should be used thoughtfully in formal or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manpower shortage

Inverts the phrase structure, maintaining the same meaning.

insufficient personnel

Replaces "manpower" with a more formal term, emphasizing the lack of staff.

inadequate staffing levels

Focuses on the level of staffing being below what is required.

shortage of workforce

Highlights the lack of available workers.

understaffed

A concise adjective indicating a lack of sufficient staff.

thinly staffed

Describes the condition of having too few staff members.

limited personnel resources

Emphasizes the constraint on available staff.

lack of human resources

Uses the broader term "human resources" to refer to the staff shortage.

staffing deficit

Highlights the gap between required and available staff.

workforce scarcity

Emphasizes the limited availability of workers.

FAQs

What does "not enough manpower" mean?

The phrase "not enough manpower" signifies that there are an insufficient number of people available to complete a task or fulfill a requirement. It indicates a shortage of staff or personnel.

What are some alternatives to "not enough manpower"?

You can use alternatives like "insufficient personnel", "inadequate staffing levels", or "shortage of workforce", depending on the context.

Is "not enough manpower" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not enough manpower" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. However, be mindful of the context and consider more inclusive alternatives when appropriate.

How can I use "not enough manpower" in a sentence?

Example: "The project was delayed because there was "not enough manpower" to complete all the necessary tasks on time."