scarcity of items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcity of items" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where there is a limited supply of certain products or goods. Example: "The scarcity of items during the holiday season led to increased prices and long lines at stores."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The relative scarcity of such items, particularly those measuring the highest functional levels, required the development of new items.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The scarcity of such items raises their value in today's market.

The New York Times - Sports

Although in principle medical supplies and drugs required as part of inpatient treatment remained free (or included in a one-off co-payment), the scarcity of such items in medical facilities led to an increasing number of patients having to purchase them.

Health Policy and Planning

Attempts to match or supplant the hashtag with #putoutyourbudgiesmugglers and #putoutyourspeedos were less successful, perhaps given the relative scarcity of the item – though some hedged their bets.

The Guardian

It is therefore essential to help pregnant women, their families, and the whole community to plan individually and together in order to ensure that no life is lost due to scarcity of birth preparedness items.

Global Health Action

Fortunately, that was the worst of the service problems - there were other errors, including wrong dishes and multiple dishes of the same item, a scarcity of wine glasses and food placed in front of the wrong diner.

The New York Times

His popularity with the poor helped propel him to victory in October balloting, gaining 55% of the vote despite rising crime, persistent scarcities of basic food items, double-digit inflation and unpopular foreign aid programs.

Los Angeles Times

Principle 6: Scarcity makes items more valuable in the eyes of potential prospects.

Huffington Post

It is faced with the feedback scarcity that arises in practice because a user may only give feedbacks on a limited number of items, namely data sparsity.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

More obviously connected to the idea of induced scarcity are "precious" items like gold, diamonds, and even oil that underlie key aspects of international trade.

Huffington Post

The item of items.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "scarcity of items", be specific about the items you are referring to, to provide clarity and context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcity of items" in overly casual conversation; simpler terms like "shortage" or "lack" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcity of items" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a condition or situation characterized by a limited availability of specific goods or resources, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scarcity of items" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe situations where specific goods or resources are limited. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Although it's not particularly common, it's appropriate for neutral to formal contexts such as news reports or academic discussions. Alternatives include "shortage of goods" or "lack of supplies", which may be more suitable for informal conversations. Remembering to be specific about the items you are referring to is a best practice when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shortage of goods

Replaces "items" with "goods", emphasizing the lack of available products.

lack of supplies

Focuses on the absence of necessary resources, particularly materials needed for a specific purpose.

limited availability of products

Emphasizes the restricted access to certain goods or products.

dearth of commodities

Uses more formal language to indicate a severe lack of marketable goods or raw materials.

inadequate provision of materials

Highlights the insufficient supply or arrangement of resources needed for a particular task or purpose.

paucity of resources

Indicates a small or insufficient amount of available resources.

insufficiency of materials

Highlights the lacking or deficient quality of materials available.

limited stock of goods

Focuses on the limited amount of merchandise available in a store or market.

reduced inventory of products

Emphasizes the reduced quantity of products available for sale or distribution.

deficiency of essentials

Implies a lack of fundamental or crucial resources needed for survival or operation.

FAQs

How can I use "scarcity of items" in a sentence?

You can use "scarcity of items" to describe situations where there is a limited availability of specific goods or resources. For example, "The "scarcity of items" during the pandemic led to price increases."

What's a good alternative to "scarcity of items"?

Alternatives include "shortage of goods", "lack of supplies", or "limited availability of products", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "scarcity of items" grammatically correct?

Yes, "scarcity of items" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is widely understood.

What is the difference between "scarcity of items" and "shortage of items"?

While similar, ""scarcity of items"" may imply a more fundamental or long-term lack, whereas "shortage of items" can refer to a temporary or localized lack.