shortfall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shortfall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deficit or a situation where something is less than expected or required, often in financial contexts. Example: "The company reported a shortfall in revenue this quarter, which has raised concerns among investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Paris is aware that if it is unable to tackle the issue of its pension shortfall, France's triple-A credit rating may be cut.

The New York Times

It is the lack of reorders pre-Christmas that makes the profit shortfall visible now - rather than a wave of returns," he said.

The Guardian - Business

The NHS had a big shortfall of doctors even 10 years back and they recruited from India but it didn't make any difference then," Sood says.

The Guardian

But the reduced cap of £440 will take £60 a week off their housing benefit leaving them with a weekly shortfall of £74 on the rent.

The Guardian

The bedroom tax meant she had to meet a shortfall in her housing benefit £80 per month to remain in her three-bed home, because her son Steven and his younger sister Laura had moved out.

The Guardian

It points to an actuarial valuation carried out by the trustees of the USS in March – a process that weighed up the value of the scheme's assets against the amount needed to pay pension rights already accrued, finding a £8bn shortfall.

The Guardian

In the context of a reported NHS shortfall of £30bn by 2020, that's hardly peanuts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Councils say there will be a £4.3bn shortfall by 2020 and the effect of this on those most in need is simply intolerable.

The Guardian

Yellen acknowledged that including discouraged workers in the unemployment rate lifts it to around 13%, "a much broader measure of shortfall in our economy from what we would like to see".

The Guardian - Business

We were clear that there was a high risk of shortfall at this rate and that the rate is not guaranteed in any way.

The Guardian - Money

Let's assume that Charlie, our hypothetical Ivy-bound high school senior, decides he's going to Yale and he's going to borrow to make up the shortfall.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial matters, clearly specify the area or category where the "shortfall" exists to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "shortfall" when you mean "shortcut". A "shortfall" refers to a deficit or deficiency, whereas a "shortcut" is a quicker way to achieve something.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shortfall" is as a noun, often used as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in describing deficits or lacks in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shortfall" is a commonly used noun that denotes a deficiency or lack, especially in financial or resource-related contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent appearance in news, business, and scientific sources. When writing, ensure you clearly specify the area of the "shortfall" to avoid ambiguity. While synonyms like "deficit" or "shortage" exist, "shortfall" provides a versatile and widely understood way to describe any deficit. Remember to avoid confusing "shortfall" with words like "shortcut".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deficit

Refers specifically to a financial lack or deficiency.

shortage

Emphasizes a lack of supply or availability.

deficiency

Highlights the inadequacy of something to meet requirements.

lack

A general term indicating the absence of something.

insufficiency

Denotes an inadequate amount or quantity.

scarcity

Implies a limited availability of resources.

inadequacy

Suggests a failure to meet a required standard.

paucity

Indicates a smallness of quantity.

dearth

Emphasizes a severe lack or shortage.

gap

Highlights a missing element or a discrepancy.

FAQs

How can I use "shortfall" in a sentence?

You can use "shortfall" to describe a deficit or a lack of something. For example, "The company experienced a "shortfall" in revenue this quarter".

What words can I use instead of "shortfall"?

You can use synonyms such as "deficit", "shortage", or "deficiency" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a shortfall of funds"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "a "shortfall of funds"" is a common way to describe a lack of sufficient money.

What's the difference between "shortfall" and "deficit"?

"Shortfall" is a general term for any lack or deficiency, while "deficit" usually refers specifically to a financial deficiency, especially when spending exceeds income.