severe shortage

USAGE SUMMARY

"severe shortage" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is in short supply due to extraordinary demand or other factors. For example, "The coronavirus pandemic has caused a severe shortage in hospital beds and medical staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

There's a severe shortage of roustabouts, riggers, and other men.

The New Yorker

There is a severe shortage of nurses in many areas.

The New York Times

But there is a severe shortage of attention.

The Economist

District officials say Mamaroneck, which has two varsity playing fields, is facing a particularly severe shortage.

The New York Times

Around the world, researchers now face a severe shortage of embryonic stem cells.

The Guardian - Opinion

Today, scientists say, a severe shortage of research monkeys is threatening medical progress.

The New York Times - Science

Among the challenges facing the police force, Lieutenant Dryfe said, is a severe shortage of officers.

The New York Times

"Guangzhou has seen a severe shortage of land for buildings," one reconstruction official said.

The Guardian

Now its habitat is shrinking and there is a severe shortage of food for it.

The New Yorker

ALTHOUGH Westchester is a land of plenty, it suffers a severe shortage of baby sitters.

The New York Times

One part of the problem, she said, stems from a severe shortage of American Indian teachers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severe shortage", be specific about what is lacking and the impact of this shortage. For example, instead of saying "There is a severe shortage", say "There is a severe shortage of qualified nurses, which is impacting patient care."

Common error

Avoid using "severe shortage" when the lack is only minor or temporary. Reserve this phrase for situations where the shortage has significant consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe shortage" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use to describe a situation where there is a significant lack of something. Examples include "severe shortage of nurses" or "severe shortage of housing".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severe shortage" is a versatile phrase used to denote a critical lack of something, deemed grammatically correct and highly frequent by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in news, scientific, and business contexts, emphasizing the gravity of a deficiency. To enhance clarity, it's advisable to specify the lacking item and its impact. Related phrases like "critical deficit" or "acute scarcity" can be used for variety, but "severe shortage" remains a direct and widely understood expression. Remember to reserve it for situations of genuine and impactful scarcity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dire lack

Emphasizes the severity and negative implications of the shortage.

acute insufficiency

Highlights a sudden and serious lack of something.

acute scarcity

Highlights the sudden and intense nature of the lack.

major shortfall

Indicates a significant gap between what is needed and what is available.

critical undersupply

Focuses on the insufficient supply to meet the demand.

critical deficit

Emphasizes the urgency and potential consequences of the shortage.

substantial deficit

Highlights the considerable amount that is lacking.

extreme inadequacy

Focuses on the insufficiency to meet a specific need.

extreme deficiency

Stresses the very high degree of lacking something.

extreme paucity

Emphasizes the extremely small amount or quantity available.

FAQs

How can I use "severe shortage" in a sentence?

You can use "severe shortage" to describe a critical lack of something. For example: "The hospital is facing a "severe shortage" of blood donations".

What are some alternatives to "severe shortage"?

Alternatives include "critical deficit", "acute scarcity", or "dire lack". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "severe shortage" a formal or informal expression?

"Severe shortage" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "acute insufficiency".

What kind of nouns most commonly follow the phrase "severe shortage"?

Common nouns that follow "severe shortage" include resources like "water", "food", "housing", "medical supplies", or qualified personnel like "doctors", "nurses", or "teachers".