one short

USAGE SUMMARY

"one short" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to mean something is almost complete. For example: "We are just one short of having the necessary funds to start the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

On one short flight I had a large stag do.

The Guardian - Opinion

At that time, Alzheimer had published only one short paper on the subject (Alzheimer, 1907).

Brain

Concentrate on the wine, and take one short sniff.

The New York Times - Food

On the other hand, any two nodes are connected mostly through one short path.

BioMed Research International

For one short book!

The Guardian

"One short, eh? Shit happens".

The Guardian - Sport

"You're one short," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

One short answer is long investment horizons.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

One short-term and two long-term (for 5 and 10 years) sizing were made.

Electric Power Systems Research

However, except for one short-lived partial response, efficacy was limited to stable disease.

Cancer Medicine

Moreover, only one short-term study was double-blinded and randomised.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one short" when indicating a deficit or near completion, emphasizing the small gap remaining. It's applicable in contexts ranging from sports scores to financial calculations.

Common error

Avoid using "one short" when a more precise term is required. For example, if dealing with significant discrepancies, phrases like "considerably less" or "substantially lacking" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one short" typically functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (often implied). It indicates a state of deficiency or near completion, where something is lacking a single unit or element. Ludwig AI shows this usage across a wide array of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

33%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one short" is a common and versatile way to express a minimal deficit or near completion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appears frequently across diverse sources, especially in News & Media and scientific contexts. When using "one short", ensure that the context clearly indicates a quantitative deficiency of one unit. While seemingly simple, mastering such phrases is key to precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one shy

Emphasizes a slight deficiency, similar to being "one short".

a little short

Similar meaning with the addition of 'a little' for emphasis.

one lacking

Highlights the absence of a single unit or element.

one away from

Highlights the missing component required to reach the end state.

just one away

Indicates proximity to a desired goal or number.

one unit short

Explicitly states the shortage in terms of a single unit.

almost complete

Focuses on near completion, implying only a small part is missing.

not quite enough

Describes a situation where there is a small deficit.

nearly there

Suggests being very close to achieving a target.

scarcely sufficient

Implies a minimal level of adequacy, almost insufficient.

FAQs

How to use "one short" in a sentence?

You can use "one short" to indicate that something is almost complete or that a quantity is just below the required amount. For example, "We are "one short" of having enough players for a full team".

What can I say instead of "one short"?

You can use alternatives like "one shy", "just one away", or "almost complete" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "one short" or "a short"?

"One short" is correct when referring to a specific quantity lacking. "A short" is used in other contexts, such as describing height. For example, "He is "a short" man".

What's the difference between "one short" and "lacking one"?

"One short" emphasizes the near completion or deficiency from a target. "Lacking one" simply states that one unit is missing. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Lacking one" is more neutral.