shortage

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "shortage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which there is not enough of something. Example sentence: The village is facing a severe shortage of food.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In many university towns and cities, there are no shortage of willing and solvent tenants to fill their properties.

The Guardian

Launching the initiative Gordon Brown said earlier today: "Eco-towns will help to relieve the shortage of affordable homes to rent and buy, and minimise the effects of climate change on a major scale.

The Guardian

The towns are designed to tackle Britain's housing shortage while minimising damage to the environment – more than a quarter of the UK's CO2 emissions come from energy use in houses.

The Guardian

But in an open letter, published on the school's website, staff have criticised Gergiev's management of the ballet and pointed out that, although more than 130 of its students have been accepted as dancers by the company, the star shortage is created by the Mariinsky itself.

The Guardian

There has been no shortage of surprises, from continually having my first impressions overturned, to finding myself in a succession of unexpected situations, from a tribal wedding on the islands of San Blas to a Chavista meeting in Caracas.

The Guardian - Travel

Of course, Latin America's left-leaning governments have no shortage of failings, from corruption to crime.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the short term, the team approach can be taken a step further in an effort to help bridge the data scientist shortage.

The Guardian

At the other end of the income scale, young people would struggle because of a shortage of council homes and benefit changes, he added.

The Guardian - Money

Quite apart from the difficulties of not being able to adjust their exchange rates, the eurozone economies are suffering from a massive shortage of demand.

The Guardian - Business

While the government is struggling to find innovative ways to address the shortage, thousands of small homes are being built daily without much external support and outside any official scheme.

The Guardian

According to experts and analysts of the day, India is facing an unprecedented shortage of affordable homes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a "shortage", clearly specify what is lacking to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "there is a shortage", say "there is a shortage of skilled workers".

Common error

Avoid using "shortage" when the situation is merely a slight inconvenience. Reserve the term for situations where the lack is significant enough to cause notable problems or difficulties.

Linguistic Context

The word "shortage" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a state or situation where there is an insufficient amount of something needed. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing various examples of its usage in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "shortage" is a common noun used to describe a lack or deficiency of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across a wide range of contexts, primarily in news, business, and scientific domains. When using "shortage", it's essential to specify what is lacking to provide clarity. Alternatives like "deficit", "scarcity", and "lack" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to avoid overstating the severity of a situation by using "shortage" only when the lack is truly significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack

A general term for not having enough of something.

deficit

Refers to a specific numerical lack, often in financial contexts.

scarcity

Highlights the limited availability of something, often due to natural causes.

deficiency

Highlights a specific missing element or quantity.

insufficiency

Emphasizes the inadequacy of something to meet a need or requirement.

dearth

Implies a severe scarcity or lack, often more emphatic than "shortage".

paucity

Suggests a small or inadequate quantity, often implying a negative consequence.

inadequacy

Focuses on the unsuitability or incompetence due to a lack.

limited supply

Highlights the restriction in the amount available.

absence

Indicates a complete lack of something.

FAQs

How can I use "shortage" in a sentence?

You can use "shortage" to describe a situation where there is not enough of something. For example: "The city is experiencing a severe "shortage" of affordable housing."

What are some alternatives to the word "shortage"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "deficit", "scarcity", or "lack".

Is it correct to say "a shortage of" or "a shortage in"?

While both can be used, "a shortage of" is more common and generally preferred. For example: "a shortage of water" is more common than "a shortage in water".

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

"Shortage" generally refers to a temporary or specific lack, while "scarcity" often implies a more long-term or inherent limitation of a resource.