power shortage

USAGE SUMMARY

"power shortage" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a lack of available power or energy. For example, "The city is experiencing a power shortage, so many residents are without electricity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Con Edison reported a power shortage.

The New Yorker

There was a power shortage, and they had rolling brownouts.

The New York Times

The power shortage in California appears to have been resolved.

The New York Times

Companies are responding to the power shortage in many ways.

The New York Times

Instead, California finds itself with a power shortage.

The New York Times

Mini-projects will continue to be used to mitigate short-term power shortage problems.

The Economist

But the power shortage will be a drag on economic growth for some time to come.

The New York Times

Then, in May, an acute power shortage took hold in Ampere's home state, Tamil Nadu.

The New York Times

The catastrophes damaged factories, disrupted supply chains, caused a crippling power shortage and curtailed consumer spending.

The New York Times

Seems only two houses were affected by the power shortage, author's & his neighbor Stanley's.

The New Yorker

Is the California power shortage likely to spread to other states this summer?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of a "power shortage", be specific about the consequences, such as disruptions to services, economic losses, or public safety concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "power shortage" and "power outage" interchangeably. "Power shortage" refers to a situation where the supply of electricity is generally insufficient to meet demand, while "power outage" describes a complete interruption of electricity supply in a specific area or to specific consumers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "power shortage" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It names a state of insufficient electrical power. Examples from Ludwig show it describing real-world events and potential problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "power shortage" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe a situation where the supply of electrical power is insufficient to meet demand. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, particularly in news and scientific domains. When using this phrase, it's essential to be specific about the causes and consequences. Alternative phrases like "electricity shortfall" or "energy deficit" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Avoid confusing it with "power outage", which refers to a complete interruption of service. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively communicate about energy-related issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

electricity shortfall

Replaces "shortage" with "shortfall", emphasizing the deficit in electricity supply.

energy deficit

Uses "deficit" instead of "shortage", highlighting the imbalance between energy supply and demand.

electricity crisis

Replaces "shortage" with "crisis", indicating a more severe and urgent situation.

inadequate power supply

Rephrases the concept to focus on the inadequacy of the power supply.

limited electricity availability

Emphasizes the restricted availability of electricity.

insufficient power generation

Focuses on the lack of sufficient power being generated.

lack of power

Simplifies the phrase to a basic lack of power.

grid undercapacity

Highlights the grid's inability to meet power demands.

energy scarcity

Emphasizes the scarcity of energy resources.

brownout conditions

Refers to conditions of reduced voltage due to power shortages.

FAQs

How to use "power shortage" in a sentence?

You can use "power shortage" to describe situations where the available electrical power is less than what is needed. For example, "The country is facing a severe "power shortage" due to the drought".

What can I say instead of "power shortage"?

You can use alternatives like "electricity shortfall", "energy deficit", or "inadequate power supply" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "power shortage" or "power outage"?

"Power shortage" refers to an overall lack of sufficient power, while "power outage" indicates a complete interruption of electrical service. Choose the term that accurately describes the situation.

What are the main causes of a "power shortage"?

A "power shortage" can be caused by several factors, including increased demand, insufficient generation capacity, infrastructure failures, and disruptions to fuel supplies.