shortages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shortages" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a lack or deficiency of something, often in the context of goods, resources, or services. Example: "The recent shortages of essential supplies have caused widespread concern among consumers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Until the last few weeks the conventional wisdom in Washington, London and Arab capitals was that Isis had been forced on to the back foot, suffering from shortages of cash, weapons and problems of resupply, even if its morale was sustained by a slick propaganda machine that kept attracting recruits.

The Guardian

Asylum seekers in detention on Christmas Island are often dangerously misdiagnosed due to a complicated and inadequate IT system, and can regularly go without basic medicine including paracetamol due to frequent shortages, according to the letter signed by 15 doctors who have practised on Christmas Island.

The Guardian

Related: NHS England chief: cash shortages could hit plans for seven-day health service A: No. Cameron's pledge raises a large number of questions, none of which are easy to answer, especially – despite his rhetoric – given the lack of detail about the services he intends to run 24/7.

The Guardian

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) is staging rolling action in various parts of the UK on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to highlight its concerns about staff shortages.

The Guardian - Money

Even where formal supply networks have been established as part of favela urbanisation programmes, many of the city's poorest residents live at the end of the distribution network, where water, when there are shortages, simply fails to reach.

The Guardian

He said: "It reads as a nightmare catalogue of serious safety breaches aboard and alongside these nuclear-armed submarines... Shortages of all types of crew on these submarines has been well-documented and the description of personnel in extremely stressful situations must be alarming given the huge responsibility some of these sailors are given.

The Guardian

The restrictions on imports, combined with the high rate of inflation in Argentina's economy, South America's second-largest, have led in recent years to periodic shortages of pharmaceutical products including latex gloves and needles.

The Guardian - Money

Shortages of safe drinking water and disruption to vaccination programmes are increasing the risks.

The Guardian

But today, there are already shortages in nursing and general practice, and – as the economy recovers – filling vacancies without paying better might become impossible.

The Guardian - Opinion

National Grid has called on electricity suppliers to declare how much spare capacity they could muster to cover peak times either side of Christmas – highlighting the possibility of power shortages this winter.

The Guardian - Business

The test of a nation is not how many millionaires you have, but how many millions you lift out of poverty … Donald Kaberuka Kaberuka also warns that Africa's economic development is being choked by chronic energy shortages: "Today, in every single African country, from South Africa to the north, the biggest impediment to economic growth is energy," he says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "shortages", be specific about what is lacking and the consequences of the lack. For instance, instead of saying "There are shortages", specify "There are shortages of medical supplies, leading to delays in patient care".

Common error

Avoid using "shortages" without specifying the context or item in short supply. For example, instead of vaguely stating "Shortages are a problem", clarify by saying "Labor shortages are affecting the manufacturing sector" to provide more clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shortages" is as a plural noun, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI examples show it describing a lack or deficiency in resources, supplies, or personnel.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shortages" is a grammatically sound and very common noun used to describe a lack or deficiency of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, formal business communications, and scientific publications. When using the term "shortages", it's crucial to provide specific context to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "scarcity" or "deficiency" for nuanced expression. Avoid overgeneralization to ensure clarity in your writing. By understanding its correct usage and potential pitfalls, you can effectively communicate issues related to "shortages" in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of supply

This alternative directly points to the absence of sufficient supply.

deficiency

This term emphasizes a lack or inadequacy in the amount of something.

insufficiency

Similar to "deficiency", this indicates that there is not enough of something to meet the demand or need.

scarcity

This term highlights the limited availability of a resource or commodity.

dearth

This is a more formal word suggesting a severe lack or scarcity.

paucity

This term signifies a small or inadequate quantity of something.

inadequate supply

This indicates that the available amount is not enough.

limited availability

This phrase emphasizes the restricted or constrained access to something.

resource depletion

This suggests that available resources are being used up faster than they can be replenished.

supply crisis

This term indicates a critical situation due to a significant lack of resources or goods.

FAQs

How can I use "shortages" in a sentence?

You can use "shortages" to describe a lack of something. For instance, "The country is facing "severe food shortages" due to the drought", or "Staff "staff shortages" are impacting service quality".

What are some alternatives to "shortages"?

Alternatives to "shortages" include "scarcity", "deficiency", "insufficiency", and "lack of supply". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a shortage" or "shortages"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "A shortage" refers to a single instance or type of lack, while "shortages" refers to multiple instances or types of lack. For example, "There is a shortage of qualified nurses" vs. "The hospital is experiencing shortages of both nurses and equipment".

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

"Shortage" generally refers to a lack of supply or availability, while "deficit" refers to an excess of expenditure or need over income or resources. For instance, a country might have a "shortage" of wheat and a budget "deficit".